MATTA, Indonesia's ASITA Team Up To Strengthen Tourism Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on tourism development between the two countries. MATTA President Hamzah Rahmat said the MoU would formalise close ties between the two major travel associations in ASEAN. "We'll ensure that both parties are on the same page and work towards a common goal, namely to promote inbound travel to Malaysia and Indonesia for the benefit of MATTA and ASITA members, as well as the peoples of Malaysia and Indonesia. "The close rapport certainly augurs well for long-term growth and prosperity of the tourism industry in ASEAN," he told Bernama after the signing ceremony between the two tour and travel agencies here Friday. Hamzah said the partnership was in line with the spirit of the ASEAN Community in fostering closer collaboration among countries in the region. ASITA President Asnawi Bahar said last year, Malaysia recorded 2.6 million tourist arrivals from Indonesia, while Indonesia received 1.5 million Malaysian tourists. "Through this cooperation, we plan to provide promotional activities and supporting efforts to draw the targeted number of visitors to Malaysia and Indonesia," he added. --BERNAMA