Travel buffs make beeline for PWTC
Ongoing MATTA fair proves to be a favoured destination
KUALA LUMPUR: Travel buffs descended upon the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) even before the doors opened for the second day of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( MATTA) Fair.
Excited visitors came with friends and family looking for deals on holiday packages and air tickets to destinations both local and abroad.
Among the throngs of visitors were project manager Chan Kok Leong, 43, who brought along his wife Sze Yue Wan, 40.
Chan was searching for holiday packages to Sarawak, which was chosen as Malaysia’s Favourite Destination for this edition of the fair.
“I am a Malaysian but have never been to Sarawak!” he said.
“The prices for holiday packages are really good,” said the first-timer to the fair who ended up buying tickets for his family to Legoland and KidZania Kuala Lumpur.
Amirul Fazli, 36, came with his family to look for European travel deals.
“We come to the fair every time it is on. Usually we buy domestic packages, but this time we are looking at Europe,’’ said the shipbroker who arrived at 10am to take full advantage.
Amrul said he would discuss the details with the family and return today to confirm their destination.
“We live nearby, so it is okay,” he quipped.
The three-day MATTA Fair, which began on Friday, was officially opened yesterday with vibrant performances by the Bung Bratak Cultural Group from Sarawak and cheerleaders from Taiwan, named as Asia’s Favourite Destination for this edition.
Sarawak’s Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, said the state wanted to see more visitors from other states.
“Through MATTA Fair, we aim to promote Sarawak in a big way. We also hope to make the state better known to those in the travel and tour industry,’’ he told reporters after the opening ceremony.
MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the sales target for this fair was RM220mil, up RM20mil from its March edition.