26th August 2025 - 3 min read
The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is projecting over RM250 million in sales at the upcoming 57th National MATTA Fair, driven by strong regional travel demand and government support for Visit Malaysia 2026.
MATTA president Nigel Wong said this year’s edition is fully subscribed, with between 120,000 and 150,000 visitors expected over three days.
“We are more optimistic this year because of the government’s push for Visit Malaysia 2026 and a renewed interest in Asean travel,” Wong said. He added that most purchases are expected to focus on Asean destinations, although domestic packages are also likely to see stronger interest.
Spanning 40,800 square feet across three levels, the fair will feature 2,040 fully booked booths, making it one of the largest editions to date. Visitors can also look forward to new tourism products and attractions being introduced at this year’s event.
A highlight will be the expanded MESTI Pavilion, part of MATTA’s Eco and Sustainable Tourism Initiative launched earlier this year. The pavilion will emphasise responsible travel, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism practices.
The fair will be held from 5 to 7 September at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) returns as the Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor with its largest-ever presence at the fair. The showcase will include interactive travel products, digital innovations, and AI-powered experiences.
MAG chief commercial officer of airlines, Dersenish Aresandiran, said the partnership with MATTA would strengthen the group’s market share in both outbound and inbound travel while supporting Malaysia’s tourism agenda.
“Outbound travel continues to show strong double-digit growth, and inbound demand is also rising,” he said. “Visitors can expect future-forward showcases featuring Malaysia Airlines and Firefly’s extensive networks, along with a first-of-its-kind AI-powered travel experience.”
MAG will offer exclusive travel deals throughout the fair. Malaysia Airlines will provide a 30% discount on fares across its global network for both economy and business class. Firefly will introduce all-in return fares starting from RM59. Discounts will also apply to ancillary services such as extra baggage, seat selection, and lounge access.
Enrich loyalty members will enjoy additional benefits, including early sale access, bonus points, and extra discounts. Contest prizes featuring tickets to destinations such as Paris, Tokyo, Auckland, Perth, London, and Seoul will also be available.
In addition to travel deals, MAG will continue its tradition of engaging with football fans. Visitors can look forward to meet-and-greet sessions with Manchester United legends, including players from the club’s championship-winning era. Some fans from overseas are expected to travel to Kuala Lumpur specifically for this experience.
Dersenish added that MAG’s involvement reflects its long-term ambition to be ranked among the world’s top 10 airlines by 2030. “This fair is about more than discounts. It is about sharing our vision for a digital, AI-powered, and sustainable travel experience, while supporting Visit Malaysia 2026,” he said.
To make the fair more accessible, MATTA has arranged 24 free shuttle buses between KL Sentral, Sunway Putra Mall, and MITEC. Services will run every five to 10 minutes throughout the event.
Admission is free, and the fair will be open daily from 10am to 9pm.
Visitors can also maximise their travel bookings with RinggitPlus’s selection of travel credit cards, offering perks like air miles, lounge access, and travel insurance.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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