Absorb SST, tourism operators urged
MATTA president: Move would help boost domestic industry further
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair starts today and participating tourism operators are urged to absorb the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) for domestic tourism packages.
The SST on tourism management services came into effect on March 1.
“It can help boost the country’s domestic tourism further,” MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang told a pre-event press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) yesterday.
He said domestic tourism, as one of the key anchors of the tourism industry, was expected to continue its growth trajectory with aggressive promotion and marketing awareness on its local tourism products.
“MATTA has been developing and promoting domestic travel strongly, with two halls dedicated to domestic travel exhibitors.
“Halls 4 and 5 are allocated for domestic destinations, comprising tour and travel agencies, including 10 State Tourism Organisations such as Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Selangor.
“Port Dickson, Langkawi and Penang remain strong destinations while Melaka, Sabah and Sarawak are set to boost domestic visitors at the fair.
“Other popular spots include Desaru Coast in Johor Baru and Sky Mirror in Selangor,” he said.
Tan said they were expecting at least 110,000 visitors and sales transactions of up to RM210mil.
Halls 1, 2 and 3 and the linkway feature international tour and travel agencies, including 14 National Tourism Organisations such as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Indonesia and Turkey.
“With the number of direct flights to Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and Macau, these countries remain as hot destinations.
“Promotional fares by many airlines also make Europe an affordable destination,” said Tan.
He said new destinations being promoted at the fair include Guam, Fiji, Algeria and Tunisia while cruise holidays are gaining popularity.
“Hall 1M will highlight umrah packages with 87 booths, of which 30 are MATTA members with a Special Umrah Licence and one Wakaf, Zakat and Haji Department,” he said.
The three-day event occupies seven halls with 1,364 booths.
“This is the 47th edition and also the largest fair organised since the first edition in 1991 with 80 booths,” said MATTA chief executive officer Phua Tai Neng.
The fair is promoting Sabah as Malaysia’s Favourite Destination and Taiwan as Asia’s Favourite Destination.
Additionally, visitors can look forward to the MATTA Fair Domestic and International Buyers’ Contest, with prizes worth more than RM200,000 up for grabs, including air tickets to local and international destinations along with hotel and attraction vouchers.
Visitors are entitled to an entry with every minimum purchase of RM300 on an international travel package or RM100 on a domestic travel package. The contest booth is at the foyer of Hall 2 and Hall 3. Contest entries can also be submitted online.
The public is encouraged to use public transportation, especially the LRT, to avoid traffic congestion and parking problems.
Those taking the LRT will get to redeem discount vouchers at Sunway Putra Mall’s booth near the ticketing counter at Level 2 in PWTC.
The fair is open from 10am to 9pm. Admission is RM4 per person and free for children aged below 12.
Other official partners include Malaysia Airlines, Desaru Coast and Legoland Malaysia Resort, Royal Caribbean International, Merchantrade Asia, Top Media Resources, Sunway Putra Mall and Jenexus.