Travel deals a-plenty for Muslims at MATTA Selangor fair

KOTA DAMANSARA: Those interested in Muslim-friendly travel packages and travelling to Islamic destinations can have a field day at the upcoming MATTA Selangor Islamic Travel Fair 2016 (MASITF).

Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Selangor chapter chairman Mohd Akil Mohd Yusof said that MASITF will feature tour and travel companies catering to the halal market and Islamic destinations.

“The twice-a-year MATTA Fair is a signature travel fair for the region but what we want to do now is to make Selangor and Malaysia the hub for Islamic travel fairs,” said Akil during the press conference held on Thursday to announce the fair.

He said that as the fair would be focused on Muslim-friendly packages and destinations, there will be a focus on helping the public from being cheated on umrah and haj packages.

“We will educate the public on the latest issues regarding umrah and haj, especially on being aware of errant operators,” he said.

He said that visitors to the fair can expect discounts of between 20% and 50% for packages and airfares.

He said that for now, there were more than 53 booths already filled by tour and travel companies, airlines and tourism boards.

Among the airlines participating in the fair, said Akil, were Malindo Air, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, All Nippon Airways and Uzbezkistan Airways.

He added that MATTA Selangor was hoping for more than 50,000 visitors for the three-day fair.

On whether there will be travel packages to Turkey being offered at the fair, Akil said the country was still being promoted as a travel destination despite the recent attempted coup and attacks.

“It is very sad, what has happened in Turkey.

“We have to continue to support them and many major international airlines are still flying there,” he said, adding that the country was bouncing back from the recent events well.

MASITF will be held from Aug 26 to 28 at Encorp Strand Mall in Kota Damansara.

Exhibitors interested in participating can contact MATTA Selangor at 03-5511 1370 or secretariat.selangor@matta.org.my for information.