Visitors to the Penang Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2022 will be spoilt for choice with 160 booths offering travel packages and lucky draw prizes.

Penang MATTA Fair 2022 chairman Carolyn Leong said all 160 booths were fully booked and some last-minute requests had to be turned down.

“The booths were taken up by travel agents, state tourism organisations, hotel management, theme park operators and cruise agents.

“Visitors will be offered reasonable packages from various agents for both domestic and international travel.

“In addition, there will be at least 16 flight tickets, including two tickets to Los Angeles in the United States to be given away at the Buyer’s Lucky Draw.

“There will also be travel accessories, hotel stays and meal vouchers to be won,” she said during a press conference at the MATTA Penang chapter office.

Every RM500 spent on domestic packages and RM1,000 spent on international packages at the fair entitles customers to one lucky draw ticket.

The Penang MATTA Fair 2022, to be held on Aug 20 and 21 at Setia SPICE Arena in Bayan Lepas, named Perth, Australia, as the preferred international destination.

“It is only a five-hour flight from here with competitive packages priced at RM3,000 inclusive of three nights’ accommodation, return flight ticket and sightseeing tours,” Leong announced.

Meanwhile, MATTA Penang chapter chairman Vergis Mathew said of the 160 booths, more than 60% would be focusing on domestic tourism.

“We hope to attract some 30,000 visitors and generate sales close to RM20mil during the fair.

“For immediate and medium term, domestic travel is our lifeline.

“Although the tourism industry has experienced the burns of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with the state government and other industry participants, we have recalibrated plans.

“We have learnt that we need to be flexible, innovative, creative and agile to attract new and returning visitors.

We are utilising technology and social media wisely to identify new opportunities.

“However, converted and collaborative efforts from both the public and private sectors will be key in positioning Penang as the desired destination,” he said.

Mathew shared that there would be over 80 travel options from licensed exhibitors to choose from as well as cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Genting Cruise.

Meanwhile, Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said: “The resumption of travel fairs is an indication that demand is present and increasing for tourism and tourism-related activities.

“It implies that the tourism ecosystem is back in the game with supply such as travel packages and travel fairs increasing to meet the surging demand, proving that both the local and global markets are ready to thrive again,” he said.

Yeoh also said that the state government’s efforts to restore confidence among travellers was seeing fruition as Penang’s tourism performance has been consistently positive throughout the year.

To encourage more visitors to Penang MATTA Fair 2022, there will be free shuttle buses from the mainland to the island with pick-up points at Sunway Carnival Mall, Masjid Jamek Seberang Jaya and Jalan Chain Ferry at 10am, noon, 3pm and 5pm.