Sept travel fair offers up exciting reopened world

PACK your bags and gear up for enticing travel offers awaiting you at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair on the final weekend of September.

Organised by MATTA Penang Chapter, the event will take place at Setia Spice Arena in Bayan Lepas from Sept 30 to Oct 1.

Chapter chairman Carolyn Leong Mei Ching said the travel fair would see at least 250 exhibitor booths offering bargains and special deals on tour packages and airfares to visitors.

“Since registration started on July 17, the response from exhibitors has been nothing short of overwhelming.

Leong is hoping to see RM30mil sales at MATTA Fair Penang.

“Participants range from MATTA members to non-members with both tourism and non-tourism-related offerings.

“We have also secured support from numerous airlines, and with the travel market rebounding, visitors can expect enticingly lower airfares.

“In addition to that, there will also be exciting deals from leading cruise companies, such as Star Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

“This year’s fair will be so big that we are holding it over the arena and concourse levels,” she said during a press conference.

Leong said MATTA Fair Penang promised to be a vibrant affair, showcasing a diverse array of travel options from both local and international players.

Sheikh Awadh says travel is on the rebound after the pandemic.

“With the support of airlines, cruise lines, agents and hoteliers, it is set to be an exciting time for travel enthusiasts looking for their next adventure.

“For this year’s fair, our goal is to achieve a sales turnover of RM30mil, a significant increase from the RM9mil achieved last year.

“Additionally, we anticipate a substantial rise in foot traffic, with an expected 35,000 visitors compared to last year’s 8,000,” she added.

Leong said popular destinations were Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Australia and various European countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Also present at the press conference were vice-consul-general of China in Penang Ding Qiao and MATTA national deputy president Sheikh Awadh Sheikh Abdullah.

Sheikh Awadh said travel was on the rebound in Malaysia following the Covid-19 pandemic, and many people were looking to go abroad after international borders started reopening.

“The various MATTA chapters nationwide such as Johor, Sabah and Sarawak have held similar travel fairs over the past few months, and even Kelantan and Pahang are planning to hold a joint travel fair some time this year,” he said.

Ding, meanwhile, said Penang was a popular destination with direct flights from several cities such as Guangzhou, China as it was considered a food haven.

“I have been stationed in Penang for four months and I have already brought my family members here.

“They love it and cannot wait to come back.

“China has a great relationship with Penang, and my country will continue to promote the state,” she said.

“Travel fairs have been held in Guangzhou and Shenzhen promoting Penang as a preferred destination together with Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur.”

MATTA Penang Chapter also held a MATTA Fair pre-launch-cum-networking dinner with chapter committee members, supporters and invited guests, including Penang Tourist Guide Association chairman Clement Liang, Penang Hoteliers Association chairman Datuk Lim Mee Lee and Association of Tourism Attractions Penang chairman Datuk Chng Huck Theng.