By PAUL MU
KOTA KINABALU: Visitor numbers at the recent Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Sabah increased by 50 per cent, although overall international sales declined due to geopolitical uncertainties.
Matta Sabah chairman Mohd Azlan Saleh Abd Salam said the fair recorded 37,499 visitors from April 17 to 19, 2026 compared with more than 25,000 last year.
“However, there was a slight decline in sales,” he said during the Matta Fair Sabah April 2026 contest prize-giving ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
Azlan said international sales dropped by 11 per cent, from RM27 million recorded in 2025 to about RM23 million this year.
He attributed the decline partly to geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices and public hesitation to travel by air due to the current situation.
Even purchases of Umrah packages had declined, he added.
However, he said domestic tourism packages recorded encouraging sales growth, rising by about 11 per cent from RM800,000 previously to RM1.1 million this year.
He said this was driven largely by strong participation from community-based tourism (CoBT) operators and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) booths.
Demand for domestic packages remained strong, particularly among travellers from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, he added.
“When we opened CoBT booths, many travel agents participated and helped stimulate the economy for community-based tourism products,” he said.
Azlan remained optimistic about regional tourism within Asia despite the West Asian conflicts affecting air travel.
“In my opinion, travel within Asia is still stable. The only issue is the increase in ticket prices because of higher fuel costs,” he said.
He estimated tourism demand within the Asian market could still grow between three and seven per cent in the second half of the year.
Azlan said Matta Sabah was also focusing on the BIMP-EAGA region comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines as part of its tourism strategy moving forward.
He said Matta Sabah was planning to collaborate on business-to-business (B2B) tourism initiatives during a cultural festival in Tawau this August involving countries within the BIMP-EAGA region.
On direct international connectivity, Azlan welcomed efforts by the government to explore the possibility of resuming direct flights between Japan and Sabah.
“Japan is a very good market. China, South Korea and Japan all contribute significantly to our tourism economy,” he said.
He added that Matta Sabah had previously explored plans to attract direct flights from Saudi Arabia and India, but such efforts were delayed due to geopolitical developments.
Azlan said Matta Sabah would continue urging the government to support more direct international flights to Sabah to help revive the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, Azlan revealed that Matta Sabah was tentatively planning to organise another Matta Fair in October due to strong demand and participation.
He said the upcoming edition would continue promoting the Visit Sabah Year 2027 campaign and may incorporate stronger sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals (SDG) elements into tourism packages.
The April edition recorded participation from 178 booths, while organisers are targeting up to 200 booths for the October fair.
A total of 22 lucky draw prizes were offered. The top prize, a trip to Tokyo, was won by Mah Poa Fiong, while Thien Chain Ping won the second prize, a trip to Paris. Ian Roderick Bing Xian Saudin won a 3D2N stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley.
Prize sponsors included MAG, Royal Brunei Airlines, R’nie Beauty Care, Tabin Wildlife Holidays, Borneo Nature Tours and individual sponsors.
Azlan (centre), with the top two winners (left and right), other winners, Matta members and sponsors.
