KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, Terengganu, and Kedah have emerged as the top three hotspots for travelers looking for adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences, according to the recently concluded Matta Fair.
Despite its logistical challenges, Sabah stole the show as the most sought-after destination by exhibitors and visitors alike.
With 19 National Tourism Organisations, 13 state tourism organizations, and over 220 exhibitors, the Matta Fair was a massive success, attracting more than 180,000 consumers.
The fair recorded sales turnover exceeding RM 300 million, with domestic sales alone accounting for RM 34 million.
The Buyers’ Contest revealed that Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Vietnam were the most popular destinations for tour packages.
Visitors were also keen on exploring new and exciting destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, and Zimbabwe.
The fair also highlighted the top long-haul destinations, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Italy, followed by Turkiye.
Meanwhile, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam were the top three Far East Asian destinations.
The event saw travel packages from over 75 international destinations being purchased, spanning the North Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang, was thrilled by the success of the event, which was recognized as the largest international travel fair in the Malaysia Book of Records.
He attributed the success to the increasing pent-up demand for travel and consumers’ confidence in their spending despite the global economic downturn.
The Matta Fair has firmly established itself as the leading and largest national travel association in Malaysia, with close to 3,000 members, comprising local tour and travel agents and overseas affiliations.
As the tourism industry continues to grow and evolve, Malaysia remains relevant as a significant tourism market.
