Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Recreations (MATFA) president, Tan Sri Richard CK Koh (2nd from left) at the launching of the MATFA Golden Horse Awards 2023 at OWG@Glenmarie on March 21. Looking on are (from left) Tourism Malaysia Senior Director and MAFTA Advisor Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar, Organizing Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Raymond Liew, MAFTA Deputy President CK Ang and MATFA Advisor Datuk Dr AT Kumararajah.-AZMAN GHANI/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Theme parks should emphasise safety and quality of service to woo more visitors.
Malaysian Association of Themepark & Family Attractions (Matfa) president Tan Sri Richard Koh said safety is crucial to the business when dealing with families with children.
“We have seen many accidents at fun fairs, so our philosophy is to have a set of standards,” he said.
As such, he said the association was bringing back the Matfa Golden Horse Awards in 2023, with safety as its primary focus, after an 11-year break.
He said the awards would encourage winners to maintain consistency and standards as they would not get the award again if they faltered.
Koh added that theme parks were a big draw for hotels, restaurants, and businesses as they revolve around them.
Themed ‘The Greatest Show’, the Matfa awards recognise those in the industry and their contributions to the Malaysian economy while serving as a benchmark of exemplary performance, he said.
A total of 48 awards in 15 categories will be handed out at a ceremony at Resorts World Genting on June 11.
The awards would be given to those who have done outstanding work in areas critical to more than one sector, encouraging businesses to exceed their usual limits, said Koh.
Those who want to participate must acquire the Award Application Pack from the Matfa secretariat at their office or download it from www.matfa.org.my.
The closing date for submissions is April 30.
“They will have to prove to us and justify why they qualify to receive the award,” said Koh.
Theme parks in Malaysia recorded seven million footfalls – 30% of which came from international tourists – and generated an estimated RM3.12bil in 2019 while providing 40,000 jobs for Malaysians.
