Launch of MATTA Fair Perak 2023

MATTA Fair Perak (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents – Perak Chapter) is back, as the state’s largest travel fair for the year, celebrating its 30th edition milestone. Hosted at the Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC) over this weekend for two days, there are plenty of deals being offered by more than 30 organisations, taking up over 100 booths across a floor space of 28,000 sq. ft.

MATTA Fair Perak 2023 is the state's largest travel fair this year — MATTA Fair Perak 2023 is the state’s largest travel fair this year

What makes this MATTA Fair outstanding is that tourism authorities from various states are participating. Therefore, visitors are able to check out the varied tourism products that these states have to offer; namely, Pahang, Kedah (Langkawi), Johor and Melaka, in addition to international destinations, of course. This is a golden opportunity to secure value travel packages for a memorable holiday with loved ones.

MATTA Fair Perak was officiated by Chairman of Tourism, Industry, Investment & Corridor Development Committee of the Perak State Government YB Loh Sze Yee. The opening ceremony was also graced by Ipoh City Mayor YBhg. Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak Cik Nurmalis Musa. Other tourism players were in atetndance.

launching gimmick (L-R): Pahang Tourism Exco YB Cik Leong Yu Man, Ipoh City Mayor YBhg. Dato' Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud, MATTA Fair Perak 2023 Organising Chairperson Chong Yu Ken, Chairman of Tourism, Industry, Investment & Corridor Development Committee of the Perak State Government YB Loh Sze Yee, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak Cik Nurmalis Musa, MATTA Fair's Wendy Shin — launching gimmick (L-R): Pahang Tourism Exco YB Cik Leong Yu Man, Ipoh City Mayor YBhg. Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud, MATTA Fair Perak 2023 Organising Chairperson Chong Yu Ken; Chairman of Tourism, Industry, Investment & Corridor Development Committee of the Perak State Government YB Loh Sze Yee; Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak Cik Nurmalis Musa, MATTA Fair’s Wendy Shin

In his speech, YB Loh said that tourism is an infinite industry, making it a business that has a long lifespan. He added, “Tourism is an industry that is based on perception, which means it is important that tourists are exposed to different experiences, which they feel compelled to share.

“We are excited to welcome Exco Tourism Pahang YB Cik Leong Yu Man and representatives from Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (LADA) to MATTA Fair Perak. We are taking this opportunity to synergise our direction; establishing bilateral promotional ties while cross-promoting different tourism products that are unique to each of our states, taking the tourism industry to greater heights.”

In Budget 2023 which was recently announced by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, RM250 million is allocated to promote the tourism sector to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2025. The government is targeting an arrival of 23.5 million international tourists with a projected income of up to RM76.8 billion. YB Loh is hopeful a good slice of the pie comes to Perak, including for the upgrade of Ipoh’s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.

MATTA Fair Perak Organising Chairperson, Chong Yu Ken reflected on the effect of the pandemic on tourism over the past three years, and how the industry has changed as a result of the hard-hitting episode. He said, “MATTA had to act swiftly and adjust its strategies for tourism development. This year, we want to break new ground by reinventing the industry to develop new tourism products that would differentiate Perak from other states. One of our plans to showcase Perak’s unique tourism appeal is to work with local people to offer visitors an immersive food cultural heritage experience through edible plants, herbs, and food products.”

One such new tourism product that provides this uniqueness is the pilot project that is being tried and tested at Lata Kinjang Forest Eco Park (near Tapah) by Koperasi Orang Asli Lata Kinjang Berhad (KOALKB). Offering a nature-adventure eco-experience to guests amongst the Semai aboriginal tribe, accommodation provided is in the form of camping and “Tube Semai” chalet. Campsites are available in two sizes, at RM30 for Small and RM60 for Large per site. Meanwhile, the chalets are RM70, good for two pax. These prices are per-night charges.

YB Loh Sze Yee endorses Lata Kinjang Forest Eco Park project by Koperasi Orang Asli Lata Kinjang Berhad (KOALKB)

This project is to support the orang asli community in the area by providing the youth with jobs and a means of generating income for themselves. ALERT! During MATTA Fair Perak, Campsites are now just RM20 and RM40 respectively, while chalets are going at RM70. Pay a deposit of RM20 to book your stay, valid until 31st Aug, 2023. Hiking trails (3km / 3 hours) with an in-house Orang Asli guide starts from RM30 per pax (T&C apply). However, more activities are being planned for guests, so stay tuned by following the official Taman Eko-Rimba Lata Kinjang Facebook Page.

During the launching ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Tourism Perak Management Bhd. and Perak FC Sdn. Bhd.

exchange of gifts following the signing of MOU

This 2-year collaboration is a drive towards Visit Perak Year 2024, and involves a multitude of promotional efforts on various platforms by both parties, including participation in Karnival Jom Gegar Ipoh and New Year’s Eve Celebration 2024, while promoting football as a sport in Perak. This is also in line with the State’s initiative to establish itself in tourism for Sports, Education, Gastronomy, Heritage & Culture, as well as Nature.

YB Loh Sze Yee is amused as the gecko finally eats the leaf that it was fed

YB Loh Sze Yee (3rd from R) receives a souvenir from Tourism Malaysia

The organisers of MATTA Fair Perak 2023 are expecting a turnout of 20,000 visitors, with sales receipts of RM23 million, an improvement from last year’s RM19 million sales, when MATTA Fair 2022 was held on a modest scale. This estimation is based on the encouraging reception from the crowd on the first morning of MATTA Fair, which reflects the effectiveness of the promotional campaigns of Visit Ipoh Year 2023 and Visit Perak Year 2024. Hot-selling destinations at MATTA Fair 2023 after Day 1 are Langkawi, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak for domestic travel, while international tour packages that are flying off the shelf are Taiwan, Japan, and European destinations.

Wendy Shin (2nd from L) is all smiles as the VIPs pose in front of her Sri Maju booth

tourism authorities from other states are participating in MATTA Fair Perak 2023

Visitors who spend at least RM300 at this MATTA Fair are eligible to participate in a lucky draw and win various attractive prizes, including flight tickets, hotel accommodation, travel vouchers, plus theme park tickets, among others.

Click on this link to view the full album of the official opening of MATTA Fair Perak 2023 on our Facebook Page.