Matta in talks with GRAB to set up technology platform
SIBU: Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is setting up a technology platform in collaboration with GRAB to integrate their members’ vehicles through GRAB apps.
Matta Sarawak Chapter chairperson Dayang Azizah Abang Zaidan said this is to enable their members to better compete in the travel and tourism industry.
“Matta at the national level is constantly engaging sales missions to China, India, UK and Europe including cooperation with Asean countries and collaborating with airlines and hoteliers to add-value to tourist’s holiday experience in Malaysia.
“Hence, we are setting up a technology platform for members to use and compete in the market and currently in discussions with GRAB to integrate our members’ vehicles into its services through GRAB apps for our members to market their vehicles to end consumers.
“This will be another enhancement in the use of technology to help our members,” she said at the opening of the first Sibu Matta Fair 2018 at Swan Square here yesterday.
Sibu Resident Charles Siaw officiated at the opening, which was also attended by the fair organising chairman Ling How Kang.
Adding on, Dayang Azizah said as Malaysia’s leading travel association, Matta will continue its efforts to develop the tourism industry through capacity building for the tourism workforce and introduction of luxury tourism vehicles for high spending visitors to increase tourism receipts.
“We are looking into aggressive overseas promotion, hosting overseas travel agents in FAM Trips and online marketing influencers to further push Malaysia as the preferred tourist destination,” she said.
She also mentioned that the travel and tourism industry is within the top five economic sectors of the country; generating huge foreign exchange receipts and employing near to two million people directly and indirectly.
“As the industry moves forward, we face challenges and competition in the region as today many countries are chasing the tourism dollars.
“Over the years, Matta has taken the lead to safeguard the interest of industry players in a highly challenging and changing business environment, such as disruptive technologies, e-hailing services, giant online travel agents, illegal tour operators and tourism policies that affect licensed operators,” she pointed out.
“Our members continue to persevere and compete to attract in more tourists into the country and the various states.
“One of the ways for us to remain resilient and stay in the competition is to work closely with the government at the national and state levels for guidance and facilitation.”
She noted that according to the Matta Fairs’ visitor numbers over the years, consumers are more engaged in purchasing holiday packages through the Matta Fair instead of doing it online.
Dayang Azizah said this is due to the uniqueness of Matta Fair as visitors will have the very best bargains with physical customer services by travel consultants.