Matta Fair Sarawak a platform to achieve 4 million visitors’ target
KUCHING: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Sarawak 2024 is a platform for the state to realise its four-million visitors’ target for this year.
Citing recent data from the World Bank, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan says international tourists nowadays prefer nature tourism – an area that Sarawak has a lot to offer.
“Therefore, the ministry will be focusing on the concept of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals (CANFF).
“Sarawak is the best place to be because it offers everything that most tourists are looking for, all in one place,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the opening ceremony of the 19th Matta Fair Sarawak at The Hills here yesterday.
In aligning with tourists’ aim to visit Sarawak, Snowdan said the state would need to have an abundance of gateways to facilitate movement of tourists throughout the state.
“We must have a variety of flights in Sarawak. That is why airline businesses are vital as they are the bridges that connect those from international grounds to Sarawak,” he said.
Furthermore, Snowdan said various proposals to implement high-impact projects had been submitted to the Ministry of Economy in an effort to enhance the tourism sector in Sarawak.
“Yesterday (March 7), we discussed a proposal with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) on the development of the areas in Damai to build the place as a new resort city with a marina.
“We need the support from both MoTAC (federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry) and the state government as such development requires big funding,” he said.
At the same time, Snowdan hailed homestays as ‘being important, an area requiring some infrastructure facelifts’, as well as stressing that they should be registered under MoTAC.
“Those that are not registered become a threat as they pose the risk of confusion among tourists.
“For this reason, MoTAC wants every homestay in Sarawak to be registered under the Sarawak Tourism Board,” he added.
Snowdan also called upon the public to look for MoTACregistered travel agents in order to avoid falling victim to any scams.
Meanwhile, the Matta Fair Sarawak 2024 will be running until tomorrow.
In his welcoming remarks, Matta Sarawak Chapter chairman Oscar Choo said his team was proud to bring back this highly-awaited event after a successful run in October last year, where it posted recordbreaking sales of RM6 million in two days.
“This year, our targets are to welcome 13,000 visitors and reach sales of over RM7 million in three days,” he said.
This year, the fair houses 71 booths occupied by travel agencies, airlines, and tour operators.
“Matta is committed to making this event a great success in line with our role as a catalyst to steer the momentum of growth in the hospitality and tourism industry in Malaysia, and to assist the government’s vision of creating more job opportunities, expanding market reach and generating more tourist arrivals,” said Choo.
The official airline for Matta Fair Sarawak 2024 is Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), which through its carriers Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings, it will be giving away flight tickets for the ‘Buyers Contest’.
“The flight tickets are for the Kuching-Beijing, Kuching-Seoul, and Kuching-Penang sectors.
“There are other sponsors including SCOOT Airlines, which will be giving away two return tickets for the KuchingSingapore sector,” he said.