Hop on for a new MATTA experience

A fair to remember: (From left) Wong, Syed Azhar and Phua promoting the upcoming MATTA Fair next to the Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus at Wisma Matta in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is back with its MATTA Fair in March and along for an exciting ride is its latest partner KL Hop-On Hop-Off city tour bus service.

The open-deck double-decker bus service is expected to fulfil a gap in the marketplace, encouraging visitors to explore top tourist attractions in the KL City Centre.

Having the Hop-On Hop-Off bus service at the upcoming MATTA Fair March 2019 would provide a further boost to the domestic city’s tourism economy, said MATTA honorary secretary-general Nigel Wong.

“It is actually a good way to see the city, as there are places you won’t be able to appreciate while you are driving,” he told a press conference at Wisma Matta here yesterday.

“Visitors to the three-day fair from March 15 would continue to be spoilt for choice as travel agents are becoming more creative in introducing holidays,” said Wong.

Among the highlights of the fair, he said, was the inclusion of Sabah as Malaysia’s favourite destination, Taiwan as Asia’s favourite destination while the Desaru Coast and Legoland Malaysia Resort as the country’s favourite theme park.

He pointed out that National Tourism Organisations (NTO) from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Macao and Indonesia have confirmed their participation in the fair. 

“Taiwan and Japan NTOs are expected to launch new products which offer different experiences outside the norm. Japan is promoting secondary cities while Macau introduces food and culture based packages,” he said.

KL Hop-On Hop-Off group chief executive officer Syed Azhar Syed Nadzir said visitors would be able to see over 50 major attractions here, such as the Museum of Illusions which was introduced last year, throughout 30 designated stops in the city.

MATTA chief executive officer Phua Tai Neng said that they hoped to attract over 100,000 visitors to the fair this year, and that it expected to generate sales of RM210mil.

“With the KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus service, we are hoping to achieve our target,” said Phua, adding that 265 exhibitors had high expectations of the fair which will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

The 47th edition of MATTA Fair will feature 1,369 booths in seven halls, with 29,000 sq m exhibition space.

Halls 1,2,3 and the Linkway will feature international destinations, Halls 4 and Hall 5 will be for domestic destinations, and Hall 1M features Umrah packages with 88 booths.

The fair is open from 10am to 9pm. Admission is RM4 per person and free for children aged below 12.

The public can visit MATTA Fair official Facebook account @mattafairkualalumpur and official Twitter account @MATTA_FAIR to receive the latest updates.

-thestar online.