Travel agents in Malaysia now have a new digital platform to distribute
their product offerings to the world, while consumers now have access to
a trusted marketplace with the launch of MATTA Online.
Spearheaded
by Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), MATTA Online
is an AI-powered online travel marketplace specially conceived for its
association members, which comprise travel agents and tour operators for
hotels, airlines, attractions, theme parks and other tourism providers.
“This platform will serve the best needs of travellers—both
Malaysians and foreigners alike—and will give tourism players,
especially MATTA members a clear and distinct advantage in the online
travel space. It will also put the control of the Malaysian tourism
industry back in the hands of Malaysians,” said Minister of Tourism,
Arts and Culture Malaysia, Hajah Nancy Shukri, who officiated the launch
ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on June 22.
The new platform is conceived to support small and medium-sized
operators in terms of marketing and linkage with customers with multiple
benefits to them, said MATTA president Tan Kok Liang. He added that
consumers can be assured that they are buying travel packages from
trusted sources, without worrying about scammers, internet fraud and
unlicensed agents.
“As of today, we have more than 300-plus unique packages and more
than 150 travel agents and tour operators registered with the platform.
Products are being uploaded by merchants on a daily basis and we expect
to hit our growth target of 300 agents onboarded with more than 3,000
packages on sale by the end of the year,” said Tan.
Ivan Teh, CEO of Fusionex group, MATTA's technology partner for this
initiative, said the platform will empower local industry players to
meet customer demand, expand market reach, amplify business
opportunities and improve revenue generation.
Both partners pointed out that the platform will be especially timely
as 50% of the Malaysian population are active online shoppers, driven
by high rates of e-commerce usage due to its internet and mobile
connectivity. MATTA Online will also target the younger market due to
their strong preference to conduct their purchases online.
Tan said that in conjunction with launch of the platform, MATTA has
also launched the MATTA Online Travel Fair 2022, a month-long promotion
featuring special value for money travel packages for both Malaysians
(travelling domestically and outbound) and foreign travellers.
Shukri noted that the government has allocated special tourism
vouchers for each individual totalling RM300 for the year, which is only
claimable via MATTA Online as per MATTA’s request. She added that they
are actively seeking more funds to push the drive for digitalisation,
including efforts for training and education, for the travel industry.