READY to take to the sky again?
Then, book your dates on Aug 20 and 21, and head down to Setia SPICE Arena as the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Penang Chapter will be holding Matta Fair Penang 2022.
The fair returns after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.
Matta Penang Chapter chairman Vergis Mathews said a total of 160 booths would be set up during the two-day fair, with a majority of the booths ready to promote domestic tourism packages.
“Over 60 per cent of the booths will be promoting packages, such as places like Sabah, Sarawak, Semporna, Sandakan, Kundasang, Kedah, Langkawi, Perak, Pahang, Johor – Desaru, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka, Perhentian Islands, Tioman Island and many others.
“We have learned through the pandemic that tourism is extremely fragile, and that in the event of any unforeseen scenario, this sector could be halted.
“Although international borders have reopened, there are some that are still yet to open.
“We have also learned that we need to be flexible, innovative, creative and agile to change and attract new and returning visitors, while identifying new opportunities as well.
“Penang has proven to be resilient. For immediate to medium-term, domestic travel is key and our lifeline as international tourism and global travel recovers while adjusting to new norms of travel patterns, choices and options,” Mathews said during the Matta Fair Penang 2022 press conference at BHL Tower in George Town today.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent of the booths will feature international tourism and its packages, promoting Western Australia, Europe, Western Europe, Switzerland, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan, Cairo, Bhutan, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives.
There will be over 80 travel options (licensed exhibitors) for the people to choose from.
To make the fair even more exciting, visitors can take part in lucky draw sessions that have been planned, offering interesting hotel room packages with breakfast, free gifts from the Korea Tourism Board and many others.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was present during the press conference, urged Penangites and beyond to patronise the fair, which he believes the tour operators and travel agencies have created good deals and exciting programmes for all.
“May the Matta Fair Penang turn out to be a success and benefit everyone in this chain,” Yeoh said.
Among others present were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Matta Penang Chapter deputy chairman Carolyn Leong.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat