MATTA EXPECTS DROP IN DEMAND FOR TOUR PACKAGES TO INDONESIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Tour and
Travel Agents (MATTA) expects the demand for Indonesian tourism products and
packages from Malaysians to drop following the issue on the demonstration in
front of the Malaysian Embassy building in Jakarta recently.

MATTA president Mohd Khalid Harun said the reduction, however, would
only be temporary and the demand was expected to rise again when the issue had
been resolved.

"We will look at the public response for Indonesian tour packages today, if
they buy the Indonesian tourism products and packages, it means that they will
still go there," he said at a media conference after the opening of the MATTA
Fair 2010 by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr James Dawos Mamit.

Khalid also gave an assurance that the association would give adequate
information on current developments in Indonesia to Malaysian nationals wishing
to go there to avoid problems while they were in the republic.

"As tour operators, when customers come and ask us whether it's good to go
there, we will alert them as advised by the Foreign Ministry," he said.

Based on statistics, Malaysians represented the biggest tourist arrivals in
Indonesia compared to the other countries, and the figure rose every year.

Commenting on the MATTA Fair 2010, Khalid said 170 organisations
participated in the exhibition with 820 display booths at the second exhibition
this year. It is being held at the Putra World Trade Centre, here.

He expected more than 80,000 people to visit the three-day exhibition
beginning Friday. It was also expected to generate RM90 million (US$29 millon) in
sales.
-- BERNAMA