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Tourism fair receives overwhelming response

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Published on Friday, 23 March 2018 16:13
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New Sabah Times English (KK), Malaysia • Home

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The MATTA Fair March 2018 organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) held recently attracted about 110,000 visitors with an estimated total sales value of RM210 million.

The fair at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur, received overwhelming response compared to 104,000 visitors and RM205 million sales generated at the last MATTA Fair held in Sept 2017.

MATTA President, Datuk Tan Kok Liang said, "Visitors turnout were very good with the highest number in the history of MATTA Fair since 1991 despite campaigns by a certain industry player aimed to customers to skip the long queues and to purchase online."  

"It is amazing to see the continuous queues at the ticketing counters by the public at the three-day fair," he said.

According to the MATTA Fairs' visitor numbers over the years, consumers are more engaged with the MATTA Fair experiences buying holiday packages at the fair instead of doing it online.

This is due to the uniqueness of MATTA Fair as consumers will have the very best bargains with physical customer services by travel consultants, Tan said.

"This year's commercial decision to partner with our national carrier, Malaysia Airlines has allowed us to provide consumers with attractive value-for-money holiday packages with 246 booths promoting exciting domestic tourism destinations throughout Malaysia," he added.

Based on the summary report of the MATTA Fair's Buyers Contest, the leading domestic destinations are Negeri Sembilan followed by Selangor, Johor, Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur.

For international destinations are Japan, China, South Korea, United Kingdom and Turkey.

The 45th MATTA Fair is the largest since it started with 1,353 booths taken up by 254 organisations with 175 travel and tour agencies, 14 National Tourism Offices, 14 State Tourism Boards, 20 hotels and resorts, 1 cruise, 12 theme parks, 1 CSR organisation and 17 other travel-related services.

"The Umrah Pavilion at Hall 1M was also the largest since it was started in MATTA Fair September 2015.

"It has 81 booths compared to 50 booths in the previous Fair. We are pleased that consumers now know they can buy pilgrimage packages with confidence in the MATTA Fair," added Tan.

The next MATTA Fair will return to PWTC on Sept 7 to 9.