MATTA Fair is back again

KUALA LUMPUR: As revenge travel steps up, the first large-scale fair by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) in the transition to Covid-19 endemic phase is back in a big way, with a turnout that’s set to exceed its 25,000 target.

The three-day consumer travel fair at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL) – the largest in Malaysia – kicked off on Friday with 9,000 visitors, said MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang, who described the response as overwhelming.

“We are anticipating between 27,000 and 28,000 visitors and RM45mil in sales at the fair which offers great opportunities for consumers to look for value-for-money packages to their chosen destinations,” Tan said, adding that its initial target was 25,000 visitors.

He added that 40% of the booths had been assigned to domestic and incoming exhibitors and the rest to outbound exhibitors.

“We received an overwhelming number of requests for this fair but unfortunately, we were unable to fulfil all of them because there were only 536 booths available.

“We have already started to enhance the fair size and capacity in anticipation of the full reopening of more borders and the increase in airline capacity,” Tan said at the launch here yesterday.

The 51st edition of the fair was launched by Langkawi Development Authority chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib, who represented Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

Langkawi is Malaysia’s favourite destination for this MATTA Fair.

In conjunction with the event, Nasaruddin also launched Langkawi’s new tourism branding “Best Wey”.

Nasaruddin said tourist arrivals for the island looked promising with more local and international tourists ramping up their holiday plans.

“We are pleased to announce that 1.1 million tourists were recorded in the first half of the year and by the end of this year, we expect to hit 2.5 million.

“The new Langkawi tagline ‘Best Wey’ will appeal to the domestic and young travellers’ market, with an array of activities and products on offer by the island,” he said in his speech.

This latest edition of MATTA Fair 2022 is participated by over 270 organisations, including 22 national tourism organisations and state tourism offices, and 248 exhibitors comprising travel agents, tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts, theme parks and travel-related businesses.

The fair is spread across Halls 3, 4, 5 and 5 Foyer of the WTC KL with 536 booths.

Among the national tourism bodies is that of Japan, one of the last nations to eliminate the pre-entry Covid-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated passengers with at least one booster dose effective Sept 7.

Malaysia Airlines will be offering up to 45% discounts while Firefly will offer 31% discounts for airfares to all destinations in Malaysia and selected international destinations within the Malaysia Airlines and Firefly network.

Royal Caribbean International is the favourite cruise ship while local mobility provider Gojo is also a partner of this fair.