MATTA launches online travel marketplace

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) launched a new artificial intelligence-powered online travel marketplace called MATTA Online for tourism providers and tourists.

MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said this pioneering effort is to support small and medium enterprise (SME) travel agents in terms of marketing and connecting with both local and international consumers who are looking for great travel deals..

“In line with the government’s initiative to boost the digital economy, MATTA Online is set to improve business opportunities, increase occupancy, bolster revenue generation and boost travel trade profitability.

“This platform also offers an alternative for consumers to purchase from a licensed platform to prevent scammers, Internet fraud and unlicensed travel agents while providing a safe, regulated and trusted environment to shop for travel packages.”

A collaboration between MATTA and its technology partner Fusionex, MATTA Online aims to reach up to 16.29 million Malaysians as well as target a global consumer audience.

“To date, we have more than 300 unique packages and over 150 travel agents and tour operators registered with the platform.

“Products are being uploaded by merchants daily and we expect to hit our growth target of

300 agents on board with more than 3,000 packages on sale by the end of the year,” added Tan.

Meanwhile, Fusionex Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Ivan Teh said the collaboration supports MATTA’s efforts to help the tourism industry recuperate, rebuild and become more resilient through cutting-edge digital technology.

“This synergy will enable MATTA to further drive innovation in Malaysia's travel and tourism space by empowering local travel agents and tourism operators to meet customer demand, expand market reach, amplify business opportunities and improve revenue generation.”

In conjunction with the launch of the MATTA Online, consumers could redeem up to RM300 in travel vouchers when purchasing domestic packages on the platform as part of the Tourism Recovery Plan 2.0 initiative by the Government.

Tourism, Arts and Culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who officiated the launch ceremony, said that she was impressed with the partnership between MATTA and Fusionex.

“I believe that such collaboration enables tourism players to reach out to a greater demographic of consumers and shall provide a major contribution to the economics of the tourism industry.

“MATTA Online will provide tourism players, especially MATTA members, a clear and distinct advantage in the online travel space.

“It will also put the control of the Malaysian tourism industry back in the hands of Malaysians.”