Penang’s MATTA Fair 2026 moves to PWCC, eyes RM30mil in sales

Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai (fifth left) posing photo for the media while MATTA Penang chapter chairman Carolyn Leong (fourth left) with him after MATTA FAIR PENANG press conference at Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) . —CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: This year’s Penang edition of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair has moved to a new venue and aims to attract 50,000 visitors.

Penang MATTA Chapter chairman Carolyn Leong said the annual fair, which will be held at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), is expected to be one of the largest editions to date.

“We are targeting RM30mil in sales this year, up from about RM25mil recorded previously,” she said during a press conference at PWCC on Thursday (April 9).

Leong said the event will feature 320 booths from 90 exhibitors, comprising both international and domestic industry players.

Leong said the fair has support from Malaysia Airlines and Firefly as the official airline sponsors, while RHB Bank is the official bank partner.

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, she said MATTA is promoting domestic tourism, including offering a special booth rate of RM1,000 — about 60% lower than usual — to encourage participation from local travel agents.

MATTA Penang chapter chairman Carolyn Leong (left) while Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai with her during MATTA FAIR PENANG press conference at Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

“Domestic packages are expected to account for about 40% to 45% of offerings this year,” she said.

Leong said an increase in direct international and domestic flights from Penang has contributed to demand for outbound travel, particularly to China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

“China routes are experiencing strong demand due in part to pricing, while Japan continues to attract Malaysian travellers,” she said.

She also noted interest in cruise travel and said participating airlines are offering discounts of up to 30%.

According to Leong, the fair will offer both international and domestic travel packages, and there will be buyers’ draw prizes worth RM100,000.

Present at the press conference were state tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) director Dr Annuar Mohamed, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, RHB regional sales head (deposits) David Ooi Chun Yen, and KinMalaysia Management Sdn Bhd (PWCC venue operator) chief executive officer Dominic Oh.