KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Sabah will be held on Dec 9-11 at Suria Sabah shopping mall.
The travel fair is a calendar event for MATTA Sabah which is held twice annually in the middle and end of the year.
During the first one held at ITCC Penampang in July this year, about RM15 million in sales was generated, MATTA Sabah honorary secretary Alicia Gomes told the press at MATTA Sabah secretariat in Damai Point.
She attributed the encouraging sales to high turn out following the removal of the Covid-19’s restrictions.
For the coming event, she hope to achieve a similar sales performance as bigger crowd is expected due to the location in town.
“This time it will feature 34 booths comprising travel agents and hoteliers,” said MATTA Sabah chairman cum organising chairman Lawrence Chin.
The Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s airlines comprising Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Firefly and MASwings are coming on board to support the event.
“MATTA believes the partnership and support from MAG will be a strong crowd puller to further boost the revival of the tourism industry and contribute to the growth of international and inbound tourism in our country,” said Chin.
There will be wide variety of value-for-money domestic and international holiday packages in the offing including 35 per cent discount by MAS to Brisbane and Doha, among others, while MASwings is giving 40 per cent to all destinations on ATR 72 except Kuching and Mukah, he said.
To further enhance visitors’ experience, he said MAG airlines will be giving away 27 tickets for the Buyers’ Contest which include economy class return tickets for Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur; Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur-Saigon and Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur-Narita.
Meanwhile, Firefly and MASwings are offering eight pairs return tickets respectively to winners’ destinations of choice within their network such as Penang and Langkawi Island.
Malaysia Airlines Bhd commercial sales executive Mahzan Mat Salleh said the travelling period for all destinations purchased during the Matta Fair is valid until Aug 31, 2023.
MASwings head of commercial, Chali Awang meanwhile said they are still maintaining all the current routes but at the same time are mulling to operate from Kota Kinabalu to Layang-Layang Island.
“We are still working with the stakeholders especially the Transport Ministry to look into the viability of the operation probably we can start by March 2023.
