More visitors expected for MATTA Fair

The MATTA Fair organising committee is expecting an increase of 10,000 visitors to this year’s fair that will be held from March 12-14 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

“Last year’s target was 65,000 but we had a total of 70,000 visitors despite various issues such as the Influenza A(H1N1) scare as well as the bad economy,” organising committee chairman Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said during the MATTA Fair launch reception held at The Teeq Brasserie, Lot 10 Shopping Centre.

He said that they were confident of this year’s visitor response and were not too worried about the second wave of the flu.

“I think the government and private sector have handled the situation very well and curbed the disease. We hardly see people wearing masks these days, which is a good indicator that the worst of the scare is over,” Khalid said.

He added that they were also in the process of negotiating with the sponsors and soon, with the exhibitors, for something special for the customers.

“We are hoping that the exhibitors will be able to give the customers something extra like points or discounts, particularly cardholders of our official card EON Bank,” Khalid said. He added that cardholders may also be able to take home special goodie bags.

As for the exhibitors this year, they are expecting about 300 to be present, taking up a total of 893 booths in Hall 1, 2 and 3.

“We have had so many requests for space and booth allocation from local and international exhibitors however everyone has to wait until Mon (Jan 11) before we start accepting applications,” Khalid said.

He added that they have had exhibitors from overseas countries like Mexico, Spain and America opening booths at the fair and hoped they too would return.

Until Jan 22, an early bird discount of up to RM500 will be given to active MATTA members who join except those representing hotels, airlines, cruises and others, who will only get RM300 discount.

Among the most popular destinations at the fair among customers usually are Asian countries.

The official media for the event are The Star, Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Daily (newspapers), whereas the magazines are Escape and Traveller’s Digest.

Source : STAR
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