New Matta online platform to help weed out illegal tour operators

KUALA LUMPUR: Matta.Travel, a new digital online platform for travellers can assist the tourism and culture ministry to protect the country, especially consumers, from illegal tour operators.
Deputy Minister, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the platform developed by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) could assist the ministry to weed out illegal tour operator who tarnished the image of the nation's travel and tourism sector.
"The core strength of this platform is that it facilitates collaboration between the ministry, state tourism bodies, travel industry players and associations for the benefit of travel consumers locally and globally.
"Matta.Travel only allows travel agencies registered with the ministry and Matta to operate on the platform, thereby safeguarding the interests of travel consumers," she said.
Her speech text was read by Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab at the launch of Matta's first online travel portal www.matta.travel at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) here today.
Mas Ermieyati said the e-enabled travel industry would help the ministry achieve its targets of 36 million international tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in tourism receipts by 2020, and at the same time fulfil current market demands.
Meanwhile, Matta president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat described Matta.Travel as a one-stop, online shopping centre for travellers to purchase Malaysia-related and international travel packages safely and securely, which was supported by the ministry. — Bernama