KUALA LUMPUR: The Hallyu-wave, which has been gaining massive attention, is still flourishing in Malaysia, making South Korea one of the top destinations for holidaymakers.
Tour packages to the country, as well as Japan, are selling like hot cakes at the MATTA Fair 2014 here.
Sales supervisor Irene Lee, 36, was one of those hunting for a value-for-money package to South Korea with her friends.
“I saw the beautiful sceneries of the country in K-dramas, so I must go there to see it with my own eyes,” she said.
Apple Vacations and Conventions senior manager Gwen Teng said Europe tours were catching up with the special promotion prices offered at this annual biggest travel fair in Malaysia.
However, she said business was slower as many people were taking the “wait-and-see approach” in signing up for holiday tours due to safety and health concerns.
Doctor couple J. Jayakumaran, 30, and R. Venupriya, 28, however, were all smiles when met at the fair yesterday.
The pair, who are getting married in November, had just signed up for a double honeymoon holiday to Bali, Indonesia and on a cruise ship.
“We are very happy with the offer and the timing matches our schedules,” said Dr Jayakumaran.
Zamri Zainal Abidin, a 52-year-old self-employed, has always wanted to go on a cruise holiday with his family.
“I had a wonderful holiday while travelling on a local cruise several years ago and was hoping to board a ship again. So I came here to look for a nice package for my whole family,” he said.
The packages offered at this year’s fair were generally 10% to 20% lower than before due to the intense competition from both local and overseas tour operators, said Sri America Travel Corporation managing director Brendon Chai.
“We are also introducing more value-added packages, such as upgrading of hotels and food, to attract customers.
“This is a golden opportunity for a cheap and good quality holiday because the prices are the cheapest we can give,” he added.
The fair at the Putra World Trade Centre here ends at 9pm today.
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