2005

Visitors who come to the three-day event, which begins on March 11, will also have the opportunity to hear industry experts give talks on other travel-related issues such as travel insurance, career opportunities in the industry and visa applications procedures by the US Embassy, he added.

“Matta has decided to create something new this year in the form of this educational seminar, and it will also be free for all who come,” Dr Toyad said in an interview at his office yesterday.

Dr Toyad and Matta Fair 2005 organising committee deputy chairman Joseph Xavier holding up a poster at the ministry's office in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

He reminded visitors to take public transport and to be considerate of others around them during the fair, which is expected to attract 80,000 people to the event's four halls at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

“I would like to remind people to improve our Malaysian ethics on being courteous, and learn to queue up nicely,” Dr Toyad said.

He also did not expect the recent Malaysia Airlines travel fair to affect the total number of visitors who would be coming to the Matta Fair 2005.

“People will be looking for different packages and choices,” he said, adding that 18 national tourism organisations from countries such as Korea, China, Thailand, South Africa and Australia would be participating.

Dr Toyad said such travel fairs were part of the ministry’s three-year goal of attracting as many inbound tourists as outbound travellers, which reached around 25 million last year.

He added that steps had been taken to help improve the image of the country to tourists, such as the endorsement of an AXA Affin Assurance Bhd travel health insurance plan designed for foreign tourists visiting the country, as well as the forthcoming launch of a traveller’s debit card.

“We hope we can get support from the private sector and various agencies to overcome any weaknesses, and it will also be important to get feedback,” he said.

Over 200 exhibitors and 750 booths will be at hand during the fair, which is open to the public from 10am to 9pm.

The entrance fee is RM3 per entry for adults, while children below the age of 12 can enter for free.

Lucky visitors who spend a minimum of RM500 through their Visa cards also stand a chance to win RM1,000 and an electrical item in an hourly draw, and will be in the running to win the grand prize of RM20,000.

Visitors who spend a minimum of RM500 will also be eligible for a contest, which offers airline tickets and hotel accommodation as prizes.