Matta Fair 2016 optimistic of achieving 100,000 visitors

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair 2016 is optimistic of achieving the target of 100,000 visitors for its three-day fair.

MATTA president Hamzah Rahmat said this target was driven by its first day attendance of almost 30,000 visitors as the public may still be in a travelling and holiday mode despite the current challenging economic environment.

"Last year, we received more than 90,000 visitors for this fair," he told reporters at the opening ceremony at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here, Saturday.

He said this target was also driven by the launching of the "Johor Holiday Packages" brochure here today as the second most popular state for domestic travel and holidays.

This package contains 25 holiday packages on eco-tourism, city tours, golf, theme parks, edutourism and special interest tourism destination in Johor.

Also present was the Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee Chairman Datuk Tee Siew Keong.

"We aim to be the number one state for tourism in the country.

"Johor has the famous and only Legoland in this region, Hello Kity Park, Angry Bird Park, Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park, Johor Premium Outlet, national park, beach, resort, as well as authentic local food and the southernmost tip of the Asian continent is also in this state, at Tanjung Piai in Pontian," he said.

He also said the success of its football team, Johor Darul Takzim (JDT), in winning the Asian Footbal Confederation Cup last year not only created footballing history for Malaysia, but also gave Johor a lot of promotion especially in terms of encouraging more people to come and visit this state.

Meanwhile, the proximity of Johor with Singapore is an advantage as a major gateway for Singaporeans and other tourists coming through the southern neighbour.

The MATTA fair, which is held at the PWTC from March 11 to 13, is open to the public from 10 am until 9 pm.