KUALA LUMPUR, 22 March 2024: MATTA Fair March 2024 unveils its Sustainable Tourism booth on the foyer Level 1 at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, highlighting innovative initiatives fostering sustainable practices in the tourism industry.

Central to this endeavour is the launch of the Green Circle Initiative, a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders from various sectors, including Climate Governance Malaysia, MAG, RHB, MDEC, government agencies at both federal and state levels, MAH, MACEOS, and MATTA members. This initiative aims to empower local tourism stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to advance sustainability goals, raise awareness among industry stakeholders and the public, contribute to policy-making, and support the industry through various CSR programs.

In addition to the Green Circle initiative, MATTA collaborates with British wildlife artist Rachel Gray, AmLeisure Group, Tourism Perak, and Tourism Selangor to implement projects geared towards conserving natural assets and enhancing local community livelihoods. Through these partnerships, MATTA is committed to developing more sustainable ways of conserving our natural environment while improving local communities’ well-being.

“We are thrilled to showcase our Sustainable Tourism initiatives at MATTA Fair March 2024,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong. “By collaborating with industry partners and stakeholders, we aim to drive positive change within the tourism sector and contribute to a more sustainable future for our nation.”

In Perak, MATTA is working with Perak State Parks Corporation at Royal Belum State Park. It is the second largest Protected Area in Peninsular Malaysia and a biodiversity hotspot with many iconic wildlife, including the Malayan tiger.

“The critically endangered Malayan tiger is the focus species in our conservation efforts, a commitment demonstrated through the achievement of Conservation Assured—Tiger Standards accreditation last year. About 1,000 Jahai indigenous people live in the park. Apart from research and protection, local community and tourism are integral components in conserving tigers holistically. Through cooperation with MATTA, we hope to bridge local community, tourism, and conservation in protecting our natural heritage,” said Lau Ching Fong, the Acting Director of Perak State Parks Corporation.

“Tourism Selangor is committed to sustainable tourism at MATTA Fair 2024. Join us to learn about initiatives like the Jungle School Gombak, which are empowering Indigenous communities and promoting rainforest sustainability. Discover our community-based tourism efforts at MATTA Fair 2024, including the Selangor Community Hosts Programme. With 22 hosts appointed across nine districts since 2018, we’re boosting local engagement and economic growth,” said Tourism Selangor promotion manager  Khuzaimah Jamaluddin

She added: “Tourism Selangor aims for UNESCO recognition by 2027 as the Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark’s management body. With 31 geoparks listed, we’re dedicated to preserving natural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism. Also, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam, known for their agrotourism segmentation and luscious paddy fields, will also be the main attractions at the MATTA Fair this time.”

Visitors to the Sustainable Tourism booth can expect to learn about the various projects and initiatives spearheaded by MATTA and its partners and engage in interactive activities and discussions to promote sustainability within the tourism industry.

They will also get to purchase limited edition tee shirts with Rachel’s artwork, which will go towards funding sustainable tourism initiatives in the states of Perak and Selangor.

The MATTA Fair offers free admission and is open from 1000 to 2100 for three days, from Friday, 22 March 2024, to Sunday, 24 March 2024. MATTA provides a complimentary roundtrip shuttle to MITEC from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall.

At this MATTA Fair, MATTA, together with MITEC, prioritises the convenience of Muslim visitors and exhibitors by offering dedicated F&B facilities and services for “berbuka puasa” at various locations throughout the venue and dedicated prayer halls in Hall 5. Muslim visitors to the Fair can rest assured that their needs are met during Ramadhan.

For the latest information updates, visit the MATTA Fair’s website and social media platforms on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or subscribe to the new Telegram channels @MATTA_Fair.

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 March 2024: Tourism Selangor is rolling out its top travel products to entice travel consumers browsing for bargains at the MATTA Fair that opened today, Friday, 22 March.

In a press statement picked up by the national news agency Bernama, Tourism Selengar says it is targetting 7 million tourists during the Visit Selangor Year 2025.

Tourism Selangor joins the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ MATTA Fair to present 17 attractions throughout the state. Discounts of up to 50% are up for grabs, mainly linked to theme parks and ecotourism and agrotourism attractions.

The three-day travel consumer fair runs from today to the evening of Sunday, 24 March at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

The 2023 March edition of the biannual MATTA Fair attracted record crowds of travel bargain hunters, exceeding 17,000 over the three days. In response to complaints of traffic congestion and packed car parks, the organisers introduced a free shuttle service from remote parking areas during the September 2023 edition, and that is once more the key component to manage travel during the three-day event’s opening hours from 1000 to 2100.

The Bernama report estimated the show’s footfall could exceed 25,000 visitors this year.

Hoping to capitalise on the show’s remarkable popularity, the Tourism Selangor Pavilion will replicate visions of Sekinchan paddy fields in the heart of the bustling city of Kuala while headlining Selangor’s northern area, with Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor expected to attract visitors,” according to the state’s press statement.

Travel content providers at the Selangor Pavilion (Level 1 domestic hall (3H01 – 3J01) offer 30% to 50% discounts.

Travel attractions at the pavilion
1) HOHO Selangor Bus
2) Malay Customs and Selangor State Heritage Association (PADAT)
3) Maryam Sufi Holistic and Wellness Spa (Natural Therapeutic Forest House)
4) GL Play
5) Eastin Hotel
6) Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort
7) Jumpstreet Asia
8) Farm In The City
9) Sky Mirror Tour & Travel
10) Farm Fresh, UPM
11) Selangor Fruit Valley
12) Wet World Shah Alam
13) KSL Esplanade Hotel
14) Cyberview Resort & Spa
15) Nur Pangsun Valley
16) Chocolate Museum
17) Heritaste Jenjarum

(Source: Bernama plus additional reporting)

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 March 2024: Cruise specialist Hwajing Travel & Tours is back at the MATTA Fair from 22 to 24 March, promoting early bird bargains for cruise packages on Roya Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas with seniors eligible for an extra 5% discount.

The 4,000-plus passenger cruise ship will base itself in Singapore from November 2024 to March 2025, offering cruise packages to iconic Southeast Asian destinations.

Hwajing Travel & Tours will highlight a four-day/three-night cruise Singapore-Penang-Singapore. The early bird price tag is MYR1,688 per person, and seniors receive a 5% discount. 

MATTA Fair will be hosted at Kuala Lumpur’s  Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

Cruises in the spotlight 

4D3N Singapore-Penang-Singapore from MYR1,688.
5D4N Singapore-Penang-Phuket-Singapore from MYR2,088.
6D5N Singapore-Penang-Phuket-Singapore from MYR2,488.
9D8N Singapore-Celukan Bawang-Bali-Lombok-Singapore from MYR5,988 (*Balcony).
13D12N Singapore-Ho Chi Minh-HongKong-Taipei-Jeju-Tokyo from MYR5,888.

For more details, visit Hwajing Travel & Tours at the show. Booth No 8R05 level 2 at MITEC. The show is open from 1000 to 2100, from 22 to 24 March.

Starting in November 2024, travellers in Singapore and Malaysia can visit new destinations in Southeast Asia onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. The ship’s home port season in Singapore runs from November 2024 through March 2025.

A new itinerary ex-Singapore is an eight-night Bali getaway. It takes guests to Celukan Bawang and Benoa in Bali and Lombok, where they can explore the beaches, visit the temples, and admire the waterfalls. In addition to the regular three-to-five-night sailings that will visit Penang in Malaysia and Phuket in Thailand, the Anthem of the Seas will also embark on a 10-night Vietnam and Thailand cruise, visiting destinations in Vietnam including Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Chan May in Vietnam.