The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) officially opened the 58th edition of MATTA Fair, held from April 3-5, 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), Kuala Lumpur, with the association focusing on strengthening trust and confidence in travel safety and security.
This edition spans 40,820 square metres across 10 halls, recording its largest participation to date, with 2,051 booths from 332 participating organisations, including 210 tour and travel agencies, alongside national tourism organisations, state tourism organisations, hotels, theme parks and service providers, signalling continued confidence in the industry’s growth trajectory.
MATTA president Nigel Wong said the record-breaking figures highlighted a remarkable resilience in demand despite global uncertainties, supported by stronger inbound and outbound interest among Malaysians and steady recovery in both domestic and international markets.
He emphasized that the core focus of the MATTA Fair April 2026 remains on strengthening trust and confidence within the travel industry, ensuring that safety and security are paramount, and providing travellers with peace of mind.
“Today, travel is about assurance; it’s about trusting the right providers. At MATTA, we place strong emphasis on building trust between travellers and our licensed members.
“When visitors engage with MATTA members, they are dealing with accountable and credible professionals who can manage every aspect of their journey from planning and booking to on-ground support. This is where real value lies, and this is what gives travellers peace of mind,” he said.
“From here on, our role is to continue strengthening this industry, ensuring that travellers are supported, protected and able to plan with confidence,” he added.
Wong said MATTA is actively aligning its strategic efforts with national tourism priorities to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia 2026.
“As a designated strategic partner, MATTA plays a pivotal role in driving both inbound and outbound travel, while strengthening industry readiness and collaboration,” he said.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Johor unity, heritage and culture committee chairman Raven Kumar Krishnasamy, who represented Johor Menteri Besar Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Johor is featured as “Malaysia’s Favourite Destination” during the event, showcasing the state’s diverse, eco-tourism, and culinary attractions to drive tourism for Visit Johor 2026, while Macao takes the spotlight as the “International Favourite Destination.”
In his officiating remarks, Raven Kumar highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between industry players and government stakeholders in driving tourism growth.
“Since 2025, the Johor State Government has allocated more than RM143.84 million to upgrading tourism infrastructure, public facilities and accessibility in the state.
“This supports our bigger mission under Visit Johor 2026, where we are working towards our target of 12 million visitors, especially from the domestic market and neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia,” he said.
“The momentum is already very positive. Based on data from the state immigration department, Johor recorded 25 million foreign visitors in 2025, with 3.95 million already recorded as of February this year,” he added.
MATTA Fair April 2026 continues to serve as a key platform for the industry while supporting the broader growth and sustainability of Malaysia’s tourism sector.
The MATTA Fair April 2026 is placing increased focus on sustainability through its MATTA Eco and Sustainable Tourism Initiative (Mesti) initiative to drive responsible growth and long-term viability in the tourism industry.
As part of the commitment, the MESTI pavilion at the fair features over 45 exhibitors highlighting sustainable travel products and eco-conscious offerings, emphasizing wildlife conservation, marine conservation and cultural preservation.
