Matta Fair Selangor aims to increase domestic tourism

SERDANG: The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Selangor Carnival 2018 to be held from July 27 to 29 at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), here, is expected to focus on increasing domestic tourism.
Matta Selangor chapter chairman Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi said the first edition event will feature 150 booths at the 8,000m² exhibition space.
"The exhibition will comprise local licensed travel agents, domestic tourism exhibitors such as hotels and theme park operators and international exhibitors," he told reporters at MAEPS, today.
At present, Syed Abdul Rahman said responses from the travel fair participants has been overwhelming with over 70% bookings made so far with many others continuing to make enquiries.
"In comparison to the Matta KL fair, we are expecting a crowd of between 60,000 to 70,000 people. The fair location will be easily accessible to visitors from Klang Valley, Selangor and Negri Sembilan through shuttle services provided at the Serdang KTM Komuter station and the ERL Putrajaya station.
"Over 5,000 parking spaces are available with tram services for those who drive to MAEPS as well," he said.
Earlier, Syed Abdul Rahman also announced that Tourism Selangor and Tourism Malaysia are the fair's main sponsors to promote tourism in the state in line with its aim to increase tourist arrivals and revenue in the state.
"Selangor has many things from waterfalls to forests reserves. Not many people in the country let alone foreigners are aware of the existence of the Sky
Mirror off Kuala Selangor.
"It is amazing to know that there is only one other similar spot with the same wonder in Bolivia," he said adding that such wonders needed more aggressive promotion.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia Central Region director Mohd Akbal Setia said domestic tourism remains a big source of revenue for the government.
"In 2016, Tourism Malaysia recorded 66 million domestic tourists nationwide which contributed RM48 billion to the government. While we are still sticking to
our aim for Visit Malaysia 2020 to record 36 million foreign tourists, our priority to promote domestic tourism remains strong," he added.