KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) will offer MATTA Fair visitors more than flight deals next month, with cabin displays, cultural showcases and sports-related activities planned at its pavilion.
The MAG Arena at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) will feature Malaysia Airlines’ Economy and Business Class cabin displays, an inaugural Destination Parade, travel technology and airline promotions.
MAG chief commercial officer of airline business Dersenish Aresandiran said the group wanted visitors to experience more than ticket sales at the fair.
“We are not just setting up counters to sell flight tickets,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
“Instead, we are transforming Mitec into an immersive travel destination.”
The pavilion will occupy about 46,000sq ft, making it one of the largest airline-led consumer and trade pavilions at a travel fair in Asia, he added.
One of the highlights will be the inaugural Destination Parade, which will bring together tourism boards and cultural representatives from destinations across MAG’s network.
“It’s the first time at any trade or consumer event where you will see a variety of tourism partners coming together,” Dersenish said.
Visitors will also be able to view Malaysia Airlines’ Economy and Business Class cabin displays.
Sports personalities, including Manchester United legends, JDT players and national football players, are expected to take part in activities at the pavilion.
Details on access to the appearances will be announced through Malaysia Airlines’ social media channels.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will offer up to 25% off selected fares across their global networks in Economy and Business Class during the promotional period.
Enrich members will have priority access to the sale from Sept 1 to 2, with an additional 5% discount on 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, which allow Economy Class passengers to bid for an upgrade to Business Class.
Customers can also look out for holiday packages and experiences through Journify and MHholidays.
Dersenish said the airline promotions would also be available online, but visitors to the fair could explore travel packages and make other arrangements with travel agents.
MATTA president Nigel Wong said the partnership with MAG would benefit MATTA members and the travelling public by giving travellers access to more destinations and holiday options.
The fair will occupy 10 exhibition halls, making it the country’s largest consumer travel event, he said.
Wong said all available exhibition space had been booked by 306 participating organisations, with a waiting list of exhibitors unable to secure space.
“We are excited to share that the three-day MATTA Fair is going to be filled with a lot of performances and special guest appearances, which we will announce later on,” he said.
A surprise performance is also planned for Sept 6, with details to be announced on MATTA Fair’s Instagram page.
The Buyers’ Contest will return, with MAG providing prizes for winners.
Visitors can also join the Ride & Reels Contest by recording and sharing their journey to the fair on the free shuttle service, with technology prizes up for grabs.
A Spin & Win activity will be held at Hall 5, Level 2, where visitors can win travel-related merchandise.
Wong said visitors could find travel packages and value-added options that may not be readily available through online bookings.
“For those coming to the fair, they will have the added benefit of choice and options which will not be available online,” he said.
The fair will be open from 10am to 9pm daily.
Free shuttle services will run from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall to Mitec.
