MATTA SABAH TO HOLD BIGGER FAIR NEXT YEAR

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Association of
Tour and Travels Agents (MATTA) plans to hold a bigger fair in East Malaysia
state of Sabah with the participation from more international exhibitors next
year.

MATTA Sabah chairman, Tan Kok Liang, the plan was part of its efforts to help
the government boost the state's tourism industry.

"The venue will be here. There is also plan to increase the grand prize for the
lucky draws from RM10,000 (US$3,179) to RM20,000 (US$6,359) to attract more
people," he told reporters here Friday.

Tan said the recent MATTA fair at Suria Sabah shopping mall here was a success.

"About 15,000 visitors turned up compared with the previous year's 5,000.

He said the encouraging response was largely due to recovery in the global
economy, improvement in consumer sentiment and there was no negative impact from
the spread of influenza A as in previous year.

Another reason, he said, was the prizes for lucky draws and the free admission.

"We hope this positive trend will continue next year," he said.

Tan said air ticket bookings increased by 143 per cent compared with the
previous fair with the popular destinations being Shanghai, Taiwan, South Korea,
Japan and Hong Kong.

"This will augur well for the Sabah inbound tourism. The increase in demand to
these destinations will mean more direct international flight frequencies and an
opportunity for Sabah tourism to grow," he said.

Meanwhile, travel agents, local resorts and hotels promoting domestic tourism at
the fair were satisfied with the positive response from visitors.

Among them were Borneo Tropicana Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd, Dream World Resort Sdn
Bhd, Inno Travel & Tour Services Sdn Bhd, Tropical Gateway Tours Sdn Bhd,
Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd, Perbadanan Putrajaya, Gaya Centre Hotel and Sabah
Tourism Board.

First-time participants, Taiwan Visitors Association and Korea Tourism
Organisation, were happy with the turnout which they said were beyond their
expectations.

Serene Chia of Marina Bay Sands Singapore said over 1,000 visitors signed up as
members.

Chloe Chong of Macau Government Tourist Office said there were more
enquiries on the country at the fair.

Nine participants won air tickets from various airlines to Miri, Hong Kong,
Bandung, Seoul, Tokyo, Chengdu and Brisbane.

Lim Ee Sim grabbed the grand prize of RM10,000 sponsored by MATTA Sabah.
-- BERNAMA