Time for travel: (From left) Zuraida, Wong and Chong promoting Perak and its tourism mascot, the Malayan Tapir called “Kopiro” at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Perak will be the featured destination in the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents or MATTA’s 52nd fair next month which is set to be the largest international fair in the region.
This comes as the state prepares to celebrate Visit Perak Year 2024 and to further strengthen Visit Ipoh Year 2023, says MATTA.
Nigel Wong, who is from the 52nd MATTA Fair organising committee, said it would take up all three floors of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from March 17 to 19.
“Tourism Perak will showcase their ‘12 Icons of Perak’ as a collection of breathtaking natural features, grand vistas and famous spots that visitors must not miss out on,” he told a press conference at MATTA’s headquarters here yesterday.
Among the 12 icons or destinations that will be promoted are the Seven Waterfalls (Lata) in Selama, Royal Belum, the Matang mangrove, Geopark Lembah Kinta and Lenggong, Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, and the leaning tower of Teluk Intan.
Wong said Perak, which received 1.4 million domestic tourists in 2021, aimed to be the main domestic tourism destination this year.
“MATTA Fair’s partnership with Tourism Perak will help attract more local and foreign tourists to the state,” he said.
Tourism Perak chief operation officer Zuraida Md Taib said Perak’s participation in the fair would provide a promotion and marketing platform to some 95 players in the state’s tourism industry.
“The uniqueness and specialties found in Perak will be highlighted through the promotion of handicraft, food, small and medium industry products, art and culture, as well as tourism products and others,” she said.
She said during the fair, there would be several activities, such as sharing sessions, cultural shows, tourism quiz as well as meet-and- greet with Perak’s tourism mascot, the Malayan Tapir called “Kopiro”.
“Some of our products that will be available at the fair are Bukit Merah Laketown resort, The Haven, Pulau Bungau in Teluk Intan, Royal Belum, Lenggong, Tasik Cermin, Cengkerik Eco Park, Taiping Zoo and Night Safari and others.
“Some food products are Rendang Tok Mak Nik, Ipoh Old Town White Coffee, bubur Perak, laksa Perak, kacang putih and other products by small and medium industry players,” she said.
Perak MATTA chapter chairman Chong Yu Ken said the state had many hidden gems that were yet to be discovered by tourists.
“Perak has a realm of natural wonders, nature, ecotourism and sustainability,” he said.
Wong said the size of the 52nd MATTA Fair venue was three times bigger than usual, with 37,000sq m set aside for exhibitors from 210 participating organisations.
“The 52nd MATTA Fair will set a new record as the largest international travel fair in this region,” he said.
Tourism Perak, he added, would be setting up the largest booth for the state’s tourism organisations at MITEC’s Hall 1, taking up 1,590sq m of space.
Admission to the fair is free, and the event is open from 10am to 9pm from Friday to Sunday.
Visitors are encouraged to use public transport such as LRT as a free shuttle service will be provided, with designated pick-up and drop-off points within MITEC’s vicinity like Sunway Putra Mall and KL Sentral.
Those interested can visit MATTA Fair’s website as well as their social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or subscribe to MATTA’s Telegram channel @MATTAHQ for updates.
