MATTA Fair: Strong sales & green focus impress

The 54th edition of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ (MATTA) Fair wrapped up a successful run on March 24th at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

The event attracted nearly 150,000 visitors and is projected to generate sales exceeding MYR300 million.

Travel bargains and diverse offerings at MATTA Fair

Held across eight halls at MITEC, the MATTA Fair covered 37,000 sqm of exhibition space and featured 1,343 booths.

A total of 278 organisations participated, including travel and tour agencies, national tourism organisations, state tourism offices, hotels and resorts, theme parks, airlines, and travel service providers.

Visitors enjoyed unbeatable deals on flights, holidays, and travel essentials.

“The MATTA Fair is renowned for offering budget-friendly travel packages,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong during the opening ceremony.

“Visitors can be confident that all participating exhibitors are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

This year’s fair offered a wider selection of destinations and tour options than ever before.”

Key partners and sustainability initiatives

The event spotlighted Perlis, Malaysia’s favorite destination, as the featured state. Key partnerships included:

• Malaysia Aviation Group: Official Airline Partner & Premier Sponsor
• RHB Bank: Exclusive Platinum Sponsor, facilitating online payments for travel deals
• Amadeus: Official Travel Tech Partner, supporting flight and holiday bookings
• AmLeisure Media: Official Media Partner

Beyond travel bargains, MATTA Fair 2024 marked the launch of the association’s sustainability program, the Green Circle Initiative.

This initiative aims to raise awareness of sustainability practices in the travel industry and contribute to policy-making.

Partners involved include Climate Governance Malaysia, Malaysia Aviation Group, RHB Bank, the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Organisers Association (MACEOS).

A dedicated Sustainable Tourism booth showcased the partnership between MATTA, British wildlife artist Rachel Gray, AmLeisure Group, Tourism Perak, and Tourism Selangor.

This collaboration promotes sustainable conservation practices that benefit local communities.

The 2024 MATTA Fair concluded with a strong showing for Malaysia’s travel industry, emphasising both exciting travel opportunities and a commitment to sustainability in the future.