IF you are planning a long-anticipated getaway, here is some good news – attractive packages, gifts and lucky draws await holidaymakers who are on a hunt for good bargains at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in Penang on Aug 20 and 21.
Attractive travel deals await holidaymakers at the MATTA Fair in Penang.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are the official airlines for the two-day event at Setia Spice Arena in Penang, which is being held after more than a two-year hiatus.
Fair organising chairman Carolyn Leong said the fair, which features a total of 160 booths taken up by 52 travel companies, is expected to draw some 30,000 visitors.
"This will be a platform where visitors can shop for their favourite international and domestic destinations, check out cruise packages and obtain all the necessary travel information and tips they need," she said, adding that as more countries are relaxing or ending Covid-19 restrictions, the tourism industry in the country is seeing a sharp recovery.
Attractive lucky draw prizes await lucky winners at the fair.
Attractive lucky draw prizes at the fair include eight return business class and economy class flight tickets by Malaysia Airlines to international destinations.
"At the fair, we have Cathay Pacific offering two free tickets to Los Angeles, while Qantas' Jetstar is sponsoring one ticket to Australia.
"We also have China Airlines sponsoring a ticket to Taipei and AirAsia offering one free ticket to an international destination and two to domestic destinations," she said.
Thai Smile will sponsor two free return flight tickets to Bangkok at the fair, while visitors to the Korean Tourism Board and Western Australia Tourism Board booths can redeem their gifts upon signing up for any holiday package.
Leong also said that hoteliers are offering staycations by sponsoring hotel stays, meal vouchers and other gifts.
Qatar Airlines and Emirates will also be offering special gifts for visitors at the fair, while another exhibitor Golden Destinations is sponsoring a return flight ticket to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur.
"Visitors to the fair only need to spend a minimum RM1,000 for an international package while for domestic packages, one needs to spend a minimum RM500 to be entitled for the lucky draw. The lucky draw will be held twice a day on both days of the fair," she noted.
Leong said the lowest priced domestic package will be offered by Firefly to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
"There will also be special rates to Kuching, Langkawi and Johor by Firefly," she said.
Leong said the preferred international destination featured at the fair is Western Australia, especially Perth.
“It only takes a five-hour flight to the city. Besides the many attractions in Perth, there are also plenty of Muslim-friendly food outlets and facilities," she said.
Leong added that the promotional package to Perth starts at RM3,000++ per person inclusive of flight tickets, three-night accommodation and some sightseeing.
The package is for a minimum of two persons.
Seven state tourism boards will be showcasing packages at the fair.
"We also have seven state tourism boards such as Sabah, Sarawak, Malacca, Perak, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi coming in to feature their packages at the fair,”
Leong noted.
There is a high demand for year-end travel packages to Australia, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand, while domestically, Sabah, Sarawak and Langkawi remain a popular choice.
Entrance to the fair is free and it is held under the Travel Safe Programme. According to Leong, the fair premises will be sanitised regularly to ensure the safety of visitors.
