THE strong turnout and sales recorded at the MATTA Fair Penang underscore the continued appetite for travel among Penangites and bode well for the state’s tourism industry, says Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
The three-day fair, held at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), attracted 52,000 visitors and generated RM47 million in sales.
Wong said the response was particularly encouraging as the event was being held at the new convention centre for the first time.
“Many people were curious about the new venue and came to experience it for themselves. Penangites are passionate travellers and loyal supporters of the MATTA Fair, so I was confident they would turn up,” he said in his speech during the MATTA Fair Penang Buyers’ Contest prize presentation ceremony at Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Ferringhi yesterday (July 2).
He said the state’s tourism prospects would be further strengthened by the ongoing expansion of Penang International Airport, which is expected to increase annual passenger handling capacity to 12 million within the next two years from 8.3 million passengers recorded last year.
“With the airport expansion, increased capacity and additional parking bays, we will be able to accommodate more aircraft. The terminal will also be enlarged, which is good for the tourism industry in Penang,” he said.
Wong said the state government, together with Penang Global Tourism (PGT) and Tourism Malaysia, is actively engaging airlines to increase direct flight connectivity to Penang.
He also cited recent federal initiatives, including the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) agenda and the introduction of a new 10-year passport, as measures that would support travel growth and tourism development.
Wong said tourism remained one of Penang’s key economic pillars alongside the semiconductor industry, with both sectors serving as twin engines of growth for the state economy.
He added that Penang is expanding its focus beyond leisure tourism by strengthening its medical tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sectors to attract larger numbers of visitors and international events.
Meanwhile, MATTA president Nigel Wong credited the success of the travel fair to the strong support of consumers, saying loyal buyers had been instrumental in sustaining the event over the years.
Speaking at the MATTA Fair Penang Buyers’ Contest prize presentation ceremony, he said the fair would not exist without visitors attending the event and purchasing travel packages.
“We are not here to talk about how great MATTA is. The focus is on the buyers. If you do not attend the MATTA Fair and support our events, MATTA Fair would not be here. Tonight’s honour goes to all the buyers who are here,” he said.
Nigel also expressed appreciation to MATTA’s industry partners and sponsors, including Malaysia Aviation Group and Firefly as official airline partners, RHB Bank Berhad as official bank partner, and Tourism Malaysia as strategic partner, for their continued support in helping grow both the MATTA Fair and Malaysia’s tourism industry.
He said the decision to relocate the Penang fair to PWCC was aimed at providing a better experience for both visitors and exhibitors through improved facilities, comfort and convenience.
“It is not about moving to a newer or bigger venue. We always have the comfort of our customers and exhibitors in mind. The move to PWCC is to ensure buyers have a better environment to shop, while exhibitors can bring better products and offers,” he said.
MATTA Penang Chapter chairman Carolyn Leong said MATTA Fair Penang 2026 exceeded expectations, drawing 52,870 visitors and generating about RM47 million in sales from domestic and international travel packages.
She said the overwhelming response was reflected in congestion at the convention centre’s parking facilities, which were unable to cope with demand throughout the two-day fair held on April 25 and 26.
“The response was overwhelming with an exceptional turnout from the public. In fact, even the parking capacity at the convention centre was insufficient throughout the event,” she said.
Leong said the fair featured 330 booths and 120 exhibitors from local and international tourism sectors, adding that strong exhibitor participation, sponsors, government agencies and visitors contributed to the success of the event.
The ceremony also featured the MATTA Fair Penang Buyers’ Contest prize presentation, where visitors were rewarded with international travel prizes.
The grand prize was won by Leesa Cheah, 46, a property agent, who received a return business-class ticket to Paris sponsored by Malaysia Airlines.
First runner-up Pauline Maung received a return air ticket to Brisbane, while second runner-up Kew Lee Ming won a return ticket to Narita, Japan.
Also present were PGT chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Tourism Malaysia Northern Region director Abdul Hadi Che Man.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian