By V. Sivaji
This year’s edition of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair Penang kicked off at the Setia SPICE Arena offering bargains for holiday makers and their families.
Present to launch the ceremony was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai who was accompanied by MATTA president Nigel on and MATTA Penang chairman Carolyn Leong.
In his address, Wong expressed his sincere appreciation to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and its Penang Chapter for organizing this event and for their consistent efforts in supporting our tourism sector.
“I am pleased to be here today with tourism professionals, travel agents, airline representatives, and members of the public—gathered with a shared purpose: to support, promote, and grow the travel industry in Malaysia.
“We have already added 14 new direct international flight routes. This is not just about convenience—it’s about creating real economic and social value,” said Wong.
He shared that direct flights reduce travel time, lower costs, and attract more international visitors and the benefits go both ways, offering better connectivity means that residents of Penang and the Northern Region now have greater access to the world. It opens doors for education, business, and personal travel.
“That is why your role in this industry matters. You don’t just sell holidays. You help people take a step back from daily routines. You make it possible for families to reconnect, for students to explore new cultures, and for individuals to find inspiration and rest,” added Wong.
He also added that In the first quarter of 2025, Penang International Airport recorded nearly two million passenger movements. That’s a 69.55% increase compared to the same period last year. International passengers rose by over 80%, and domestic numbers grew by more than 57%.
Visitor numbers from key markets are up across the board – China: 102.47% increase, India: 108.73% increase, Japan: 24.7%, The United States: 17.35% and The United Kingdom: 15.82%
Meanwhile Nigel Wong said that this fair is a platform built by the association, for our members.
“We constantly emphasize that it is our mission at MATTA to create tangible, practical opportunities for our licensed tour and travel members to connect, promote their services, and most importantly – do business. MATTA Fair Penang 2025 brings that mission to life. It is an event where our members take centre stage – offering packages, professional guidance, and curated travel experiences designed to encourage immediate bookings and build long-term trust with consumers,” he added.
Among the other guests present was organising chairman Datuk Hamzah Rahmat, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) CEO Ooi Chok Yan, MAH national vice president Dato Khoo Boo Lim, MAH Penang chairman, Dato Tony Goh, Dato Ch’ng Huck Theng, Pn Hadilah Rozali (MOTAC Penang) among others.
The fair ends tomorrow.
