Penang Matta fair targets RM17m in sales

GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is optimistic of achieving its target of RM17 million in sales in conjunction with the Penang Matta Fair to be held at the Straits Quay Convention Centre here, from Oct 13 to 15.
Its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said he was confident the target could be achieved based on the number of last year's sales of RM15 million with a total of 15,450 visitors.
"This year we expect about 18,000 visitors will attend the annual fair and a total of 133 companies and travel agencies will participate by offering tourism packages at affordable prices," he said at a press conference here today.
This exhibition also offered a variety of special prizes for lucky visitors including travel packages and airline tickets by several airlines.
"To be eligible for the prizes, visitors need to spend RM200 for each entry and if you buy a more expensive package, the greater the chance for you to win the prizes," he said.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said the Penang Matta Fair also provided the opportunity for the public to get Umrah packages through registered travel agencies to avoid from becoming a victim of fraud.
"Members of the public are urged to buy travel packages at Matta Fair because the agencies involved in the exhibition have been registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and their licences are valid," he said.
Elaborating, he said, the current uncertainty in the economic situation, coupled with the depreciation of the ringgit did not affect the number of Malaysians travelling abroad and Matta had recorded more Malaysians holidaying abroad last year.
"Based on our previous experience, during the economic downturn, Malaysians were still able to go for holiday abroad and on the issue of terrorist attacks, thus far, we have not received any cancellation from customers, they just need to be more careful," he said. — Bernama