Kon (fourth left) and Chiam (fifth left) with Second Miri Matta Fair committee members.
MIRI: Despite the economic uncertainty, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair in Kuching managed to generate sales volume of about RM4.5 million.
Matta Sarawak Chapter chairman Chris Kon Kun Chiew believed that this was due to airline companies and tour agents coming up with attractive offers including new packages and products such as cruises.
He disclosed this in a press conference on the Second Miri Matta Fair which will be held from May 12–14 at the ground floor (new wing) of Bintang MegaMall here.
“Traditionally, Europe was the cruise destination but now they (cruises) are heading to both Asean and Asian regions which includes Malaysia. There is also a shift in the trend of holidays among holiday makers from the conventional to new trends such as cruises.”
Meanwhile, Miri Matta Fair organising chairman Wilson Chiam Tak Chee said they are targeting a sales volume increase from RM1 million during the last fair.
According to Chiam, the fair will have 24 booths with 11 travel agents and five banks participating.
The travel agents are Juant Asia Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, Airworld Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, I-Go Travel Sdn Bhd, Transworld Travel Services Sdn Bhd, Sara Worldwide Vacation Bhd, Miri Borneo Travel Agencies Sdn Bhd, Multiclients Travel Sdn Bhd, Inter-Continental Travel Centre Sdn Bhd, Ibanika Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, Bel-Air Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, and Brighton Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd.
The banks taking part are RHB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, UOB Bank, Citibank and Standard Charted Bank.
“The fair has received support from various organisations such as Miri City Council, Royal Brunei Airlines, MASWings, AirAsia, Sara Worldwide Vacation Bhd, Imperial Hotel Miri and Miri Marriott Resort & Spa,” he added.
Visitors to the fair also stand a chance to win flight tickets and hotel room vouchers.
Among the prizes are flight tickets to Surabaya (Royal Brunei Airlines), Singapore and Pontianak (AirAsia), and Mulu and Kota Kinabalu (MASWings).