PENAMPANG: The ongoing Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Sabah here is expected to rake in RM20mil in sales, with 30,000 visitors expected over the weekend.
Its Sabah chapter chairman Lawrence Chin Choon Leong said this was the target set, but more could be achieved.
“I believe we can easily hit the target,” he told reporters after the fair launch yesterday.
Among the packages offered by exhibitors are deals to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and countries that have reopened their tourism sectors.
“Penang agents are also offering domestic packages,” he said, adding that exhibitors included those from the peninsula.
In total, there are 50 exhibitors, including hoteliers and airlines, said Chin.
State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who launched the fair, congratulated MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang and Chin for resuming the annual event after it was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is good that so many industry leaders and captains have banded together to promote domestic and international travel and tourism after a nearly two-year vacuum.
“We appreciate the MATTA Sabah chapter’s continuous efforts to promote the state and to help the tourism industry get back to its feet.
“As we transition into the endemic phase, we have faith and hope that the recovery process in the tourism industry will advance rapidly as the situation becomes more stable,” he said.
Bangkuai added that Kota Kinabalu would see another direct international route introduced next week by a South Korean airline.
He said that the Kota Kinabalu-Busan route would commence on Wednesday by Air Busan.
