MATTA aims for carnival air at three-day Johor fair

Bargains await: Lee (second from right) and Ngi (right) posing with the MATTA Fair 2015 banner.

JOHOR BARU: The third MATTA Fair 2015 here will be festive with a carnival-like atmosphere, and a lucky visitor will walk away with a new Proton Saga 1.3SV in the lucky draw event.

The three-day fair from Aug 7 at Expo Hall, Danga City Mall, is expected to draw at least 15,000 visitors and target revenue of RM14mil, said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Johor chapter organising chairman Kenny Ngi.

There will be 176 booths from over 90 travel agencies, organisations, hotels and resorts and other related agencies at the fair.

“We are trying to create a carnival-like event with about seven do-it-yourself stations,” Ngi said, adding that the activities would be held on Saturday and Sunday only.

Entrance fee is RM3 for adults and free for children below 12.

Visitors who spend RM500 or more can take part in a lucky draw for a chance to win the car.

MATTA Johor chapter chairman Kathryn Lee said the weaker ringgit had led many Malaysian travellers to choose to holiday in countries with lower currency rates.

Instead of favourite Europe, more people were interested in budget­friendly countries in South-East Asia and the Middle East, she added.

Travellers were also opting for shorter travel periods to save on costs.

“There is no denying that travel agencies are facing difficulties in selling packages due to the weakening ringgit.

“We are trying to find ways to sustain business,” she said at a press conference here yesterday.

She added that among the measures taken to keep business going were promoting popular inbound destinations such as Langkawi, Tioman and Redang.

As for packages to countries affected or have suspected cases of MERS, such as South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Lee said demand had dropped to over 80% this year.

She also pointed out that the Korea Tourism Association had introduced travel insurance for inbound travellers.

-thestar online.