(Front row from left) MATTA Johor chapter chairman Kathryn Lee, See and Matthew exchanging documents during the MOU signing ceremony between Firefly and MATTA Penang and Johor chapters. Present are Tan (in blue) and Bagang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
WITH the relaxing of Covid-19 standard operating procedure, the tourism industry is getting back to its vibrant days with alluring interstate travel deals.
To pave the way for greater collaboration and partnerships, Firefly, an airline under the Malaysia Aviation Group, signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Penang and Johor chapters.
MATTA Penang chapter chairman Vergis Matthew said the collaboration would create new business opportunities, joint sales and marketing campaigns focusing on travel from Penang to Johor and vice versa.
“The collaboration is an important initiative to grow inbound tourism for Penang and Johor. Travellers will benefit from the attractive travel packages.
“In this new normal, innovative and creative options with numerous players in the tourism industry will encourage travel and local holidays for everyone.
“With Firefly as partner, our aim is to revive the magic of air travel and encourage domestic holidays,” he said during the MOU signing ceremony in George Town, Penang.
Firefly chief executive officer Philip See said the joint effort, which would strengthen the relationship between the airline, industry players and customers, was part of the recovery process for the tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have seen a steady and gradual uptake of domestic travel, as options are accessible and affordable for many of our customers.
“We are delighted to work with MATTA Penang and Johor chapters to drive a broad spectrum of collaborative efforts.
“We have recently launched our Boeing 737-800 route from Penang to Johor and other destinations, including Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
See added that Firefly was in the midst of expanding its services to Phuket, Thailand, as part of its international route expansion, in efforts to connect people from both countries.
Also present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Penang director Jonathan Freddy Bagang and MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
Under the MOU, MATTA-registered travel agents in Johor and Penang will be able to sell a unique package of three-days, two-nights for two persons from RM599.
The package includes airfare, hotel accommodation and breakfast. The promotion will be valid for a year until July 27, 2023.
For details, visit mattaonline.travel/ or any MATTA-registered travel agents and tour operators.
