THREE MORE COUNTRIES JOIN MATTA FAIR 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama)-- The three-day Malaysian Association of
Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair 2010 beginning Friday saw the participation
of three more countries -- Uzbekistan, Syria and Yemen -- bringing the total to
25.

This year's edition featured 200 booths set up by various travel agencies,
airlines and hotels.

Matta president Mohd Khalid Harun told reporters after the launch of
the fair at the Putra World Trade Centre here that this time a "Domestic Draw"
would be held with tourism gift vouchers worth RM5,000 up for grabs for
purchases of domestic tour packages worth RM200 and above.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia chairman Dr Victor Wee Wee, who launched
the fair, said the Tourism Ministry targeted 24 million foreigners to visit
Malaysia this year compared with 23.6 million last year.

"Our country's economy is recovering slowly and is doing better than last
year, so we expect more tourists to visit this year," he said.

He added that last year, Singaporeans were the largest group to visit
Malaysia, followed by Indonesians, Thais and Bruneians.
-- BERNAMA