KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) is targeting up to RM20mil in sales receipt from the two-week Sabah Virtual Travel Fair 2021 launched on Tuesday (Nov 16).
The first ever 3D virtual travel fair with the tagline - “Dream Now, Book First and Visit Later” - will be happening until Nov 29 with over 50 exhibitors participating, including travel agencies and hoteliers.
SATTA chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw Kit Siong in an online media conference on Tuesday said the fair offers flexibility in terms of travelling dates, and as such, they are confident of reaching the good sales target.
“With the restrictions imposed, it is hard to organise a physical travel fair so we went virtual, where exhibitors can also have a larger target market via online platform.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are very flexible, hence the tagline book now and travel later. If borders are not opened, for example, then the parties involved can negotiate (dates) to defer travel.
“Since interstate travel is allowed, we are doing good; as long as (Covid-19) cases don’t shoot up, we will get a good response .... Therefore, the sales target is between RM10mil and RM20mil,” said Liaw.
Liaw also expressed hopes that the country opens its borders to international tourists from China, Taiwan and Indo-China countries soon to help the tourism industry here rebound faster.
He said SATTA has also collaborated with Miss World Malaysia Organisation to promote Sabah as a travel destination, adding that Miss World Malaysia 2021 Dr Lavanya Sivaji will make her way to Puerto Rico this week to attend the Miss World finals.
Lavanya, who attended the online media conference, expressed her eagerness to visit Sabah with her family and friends after participating in the competition in Puerto Rico.
“There are also talks that Sabah could be the destination for the next Miss World Malaysia competition, so that would be great,” she added.
