Errant tour agents warned

Representatives from 130 companies turned up at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Thursday to draw ballots for the upcoming MATTA Fair 2011. The balloting exercise is to determine their booth numbers in the event to be held from March 11 to March 13 at PWTC. Organised by Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the fair this year is themed “Colour Your Life” and will showcase travel and tour products as well as services at some 900 booths.

During the briefing for exhibitors on booth allocation, organising deputy chairman Boris Tan told them that they must first settle outstanding complaints lodged by customers against them before the fair began. “The Tourism Ministry is serious about this matter and some may be barred from participating,” he told members of the industry and related businesses. “We know that not all complaints are genuine but we want members to treat the complaints seriously,” he said.

Balloting exercise: Representatives chossing booths for MATTA Fair 2011.

He explained that although members and associate members of the industry might be successful in securing booths before the fair, errant members might be barred on the day of the event. He also warned them not to share their booths with those who had not registered to participate in the fair. “We have received complaints that some of you have been sharing booths. If you are caught doing this, you will not be able to participate the next time around,’ said Tan.

In order to prevent this problem, he advised genuine exhibitors to display their licence and fair registration forms at their booths. He also announced that the organising committee was barring bridal companies from participating in this year’s fair. “Last year, some non-member exhibitors engaged foreign bridal companies to sell their products and destinations at the fair,” he said. He noted that foreign promoters created many problems at the fair with their aggressive selling methods. Organising committee member M. Ali said there were many complaints received against the bridal companies that exhibited previously.

Exhibitors at the MATTA Fair are divided into three categories -- direct members, associate members which consists of hotels and other accommodation providers, and related industries which are foreign tourism boards and companies that offer tourism-related products. MATTA, which has more than 2,000 members, is expecting some 85,000 visitors at the fair and targetting RM1mil in sales.

-thestar online.