Tourism Ministry proposes Matta fair be extended overseas

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry has proposed to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) for the locally-held Matta Fair to be extended overseas.

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said the proposal was made following the success of the annual Matta Fair. "Maybe twice a year, for instance. If possible, Matta could start it, one in Europe and one in Central Asia, it will be good to attract tourists from other countries to come over to Malaysia," he told reporters after launching the Matta Fair 2012 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Friday.

The Matta Fair, which runs until this Sunday, is expected to attract about 90,000 visitors. Dr James said last year Malaysia recorded a 0.6% increase in arrivals with 24.7 million tourists, compared with 24.6 million arrivals in 2010. He added that tourist arrivals were expected to increase this year.

"The marginal increase was understandable as 2011 was a challenging year with natural disasters and economic and political instability in many countries," he said. Dr James said the ministry expected some 36 million tourist arrivals, generating an income of about RM168 billion in 2020.

"We are confident that the target is achievable as all stakeholders in the industry are working even harder in the face of the stiff competition in this region. "We have to be mindful and constantly remind ourselves that the chase for the tourists and tourism dollars is getting very competitive and tougher every year and therefore we all must always be on our toes to remain in the race, and not be left behind," he said.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia today released a brochure titled "Pakej Istimewa Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia" (1Malaysia Special Holiday Package) in conjunction with its participation in the Matta tourism exhibition at PWTC.

Meanwhile, in Ipoh, 30,000 visitors are expected to visit the Tourism Expo organised by the Perak branch of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta Fair 2012) at the Stadium Indera Mulia from today until Sunday. Matta Fair 2012 organising chairman Aminurrashid Abas said the organisers expected sales during the three-day expo to increase to RM20 million compared with RM15 million during a similar expo last year. He said from the total sales, the organisers expected RM7 million would come from local tourists while the remaining RM13 million would be from foreign tourists.

-Bernama.