(From second left) Nurmalis, Tan, Chong and Yoganthiran talking about the upcoming MATTA fair at the press conference in Ipoh yesterday.
PERAK MATTA Fair is back with travel deals after more than a two-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Perak chapter chairman Chong Yu Ken said the fair was put on hold because of the movement control order when the pandemic hit in 2020.
He, however, said that when the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry kick-started a travel bubble programme in September last year, it was a signal for tourism activities to be revived.
“With the programme’s success, Perak MATTA decided to hold its fair this weekend (May 21 and 22) as its last fair was in September 2019.“So visitors to the two-day fair at Ipoh Convention Centre can look forward to great deals and lucky draws,” he said at a press conference at the MATTA office in Ipoh yesterday.
Also present were Tourism Perak chief executive officer Nurmalis Musa, Royal Caribbean Cruise Asia Pacific business development manager Valerie Tan and Tourism Malaysia Northern region deputy director M. Yoganthiran.
Chong said more than 30 tourism players would be participating and 70 booths set up at the 29th MATTA fair.
He said the Kedah/Perlis MATTA chapter, Tourism Malaysia Northern Region, Tourism Perak and Tourism Melaka along with industry players from out of state would be joining the fair.
There were ample travel destination choices ranging from cultural, heritage, nature and wildlife to water and sky activities to look forward to, he added.
“We are also pleased to announce that Royal Caribbean will be our main sponsor and visitors wanting to go on its cruises will find endless opportunities.
“We are expecting 15,000 visitors during the fair and hope to rake in over RM30mil in sales turnover.
“Although the standard operating procedure has been relaxed, visitors must adhere to the rules as only those fully vaccinated will be allowed into the hall, face masks are a must and young children are not encouraged to attend the fair,” he said.
Chong said those with a minimum purchase of RM300 would be entitled to participate in lucky draws and stand a chance to win attractive prizes such as return air tickets, cruise vouchers, holiday packages, hotel stay vouchers, travel gifts and admission tickets to theme parks.
He said Perak tourism committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi was expected at the event on Saturday at 11am.
Tan said Royal Caribbean would feature cruises with great deals on Asia’s largest and most innovative ship – Spectrum of the Seas.
She said visitors to the fair could find out more about Royal Caribbean’s cruises to Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam that start in October, priced as low as RM909.
“Guests on board the ship can gear up for an action-packed holiday, including a skydiving experience at sea, a jewel-shaped observation capsule that takes guests 91m above sea level and a surf simulator,” she added.
For details, visit the MATTA Fair Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MattaPerak/
