KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president, Nigel Wong, noted that traveling locally has become a popular trend among Malaysians, with more individuals exploring domestic destinations extensively, particularly post-Covid-19 pandemic. This shift has led to the creation of new tourism ideas and attractions.
According to Wong, there has been a surge of creativity among domestic and inbound tourism stakeholders as more Malaysians are viewing their own country through new lenses. He also mentioned the enthusiastic support shown by leaders in driving bold strategies to elevate tourism within their territories.
During the launch of the 54th edition of the MATTA Fair at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) on Saturday (March 23), the event was graced by the Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and his consort Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.
Deputy Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Yasmin Mahmood, Tourism Malaysia director-general Manoharan Periasamy, and MATTA Fair organizing chairman Datuk Tan Kok Liang were also among the dignitaries present.
With the pandemic transforming various industries, Wong highlighted the need for the travel and tourism sector to rethink and reimagine the way people travel to ensure sustainability and growth.
One significant trend that emerged post-pandemic is the increased focus on domestic tourism, with individual states like Perlis promoting unique attractions to attract visitors, such as its Unesco Geopark.
Perlis Geopark, covering 1,001 square kilometers at the tip of Peninsular Malaysia’s west coast, is adjacent to the globally recognized Satun Unesco Global Geopark and the Langkawi Unesco Global Geopark.
Recognizing transportation as a pivotal factor in driving tourism, Wong emphasized the importance of fostering an open environment to encourage both inbound and outbound tourism.
Stressing the role of all stakeholders in promoting tourism, Wong lauded the impact of the MATTA Fair in showcasing travel and tourism opportunities, with each edition attracting thousands of visitors and significant sales turnover.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin emphasized Perlis as a standout destination and encouraged investments in accommodation to support the expected increase in tourist numbers, aiming to surpass four million visitors by 2023.
He also urged all tourism players to prepare for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, targeting 26.1 million foreign tourists to elevate Malaysia as a major international tourist destination.
Admission to the MATTA Fair was free, providing visitors with a convenient shuttle bus service from two locations for ease of access and offering a variety of dining options for comfort.
