KUALA LUMPUR: Visitors to next month’s MATTA Fair can step into Malaysia Airlines cabin displays, catch a destination parade and look out for appearances by Manchester United legends at Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) pavilion.
The 46,000 sq ft MAG Arena at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) will feature travel technology, cultural displays, family activities and promotions by Malaysia Airlines and Firefly.
MAG chief commercial officer of airline business Dersenish Aresandiran said the pavilion was designed to offer visitors more than airfare deals.
“We are not just setting up counters to sell flight tickets,” he said at a press conference on Monday (Aug 24).
“Instead, we are transforming MITEC into an immersive travel destination, where visitors can discover the future of travel through interactive travel technology, exclusive lifestyle experiences, world-class cabin showcases and exciting global sports partnerships.”
The MAG Arena will be among the largest airline-led consumer and trade pavilions at a travel fair in Asia, according to the group.
One of its main attractions will be the inaugural Destination Parade, set for about 1pm on Sept 4.
The parade will bring together tourism boards and cultural representatives from destinations across MAG’s network, with mascots and giveaways also planned.
“It’s the first time ever at any trade or consumer event where you will see a variety of tourism partners coming together, along with mascots and giveaways,” Dersenish said.
Visitors can view Malaysia Airlines’ Economy and Business Class cabin displays and take photographs.
Manchester United legends, JDT players and national football players are expected to join activities at the pavilion.
Details on the appearances and how visitors can gain access will be announced through Malaysia Airlines’ social media platforms.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will offer up to 25% off selected Economy and Business Class fares across their networks during the promotion period.
Enrich members will have priority access to the sale from Sept 1 to 2, with an additional 5% off bookings.
AmBank Enrich cardholders can earn up to three times bonus Enrich Points during the campaign.
Other promotions will cover seat selection, extra baggage and upgrade bids, allowing Economy Class passengers to bid for a Business Class seat.
Holiday packages and experiences through Journify and MHholidays will also be offered.
Dersenish said the fares would also be available online, but visitors to the fair could speak directly to travel agents about packages and other arrangements.
“The MATTA Fair deals are available online too. But the unique experience of MATTA and the trade fair is everything else besides the flight ticket,” he said.
MATTA president Nigel Wong said the fair gave visitors access to packages and value-added arrangements that may not be readily available through online bookings.
“If you come down to the fair, there are a lot of other value-added options that you will not be able to find online,” he said.
Wong said travel agents could combine airfares with accommodation, transport, tours and other travel arrangements.
The Buyers’ Contest will return, with every RM100 spent qualifying visitors for an entry.
MAG will provide prizes, including return Business Class tickets to Brisbane and Fukuoka.
The MATTA Fair will be held from Sept 4 to 6 at MITEC, spanning 10 exhibition halls and 40,820 sq m of space, with all 2,054 booths taken up by 306 participating companies.
The fair will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, with free shuttle services running from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall to MITEC.
