By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: MATTA Sabah will expand beyond Kota Kinabalu next year with a second fair planned for Tawau, following the success of its September edition.
Its chairman Alex Chong said the chapter will stage two fairs in 2027 — April in Kota Kinabalu at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and June in Tawau — to bring travel deals closer to consumers across the state.
The September fair was held from Sept 18 to 20 at SICC.
According to its Buyers’ Contest report, the fair drew 532 entries, with 254 qualifying. Those entries alone accounted for 1,414 travelling passengers and RM3.315 million in travel purchases.
Chong said the figure covers only contest participants and does not represent total sales for the fair.
“The numbers show people are still travelling and buying. The contest is only a sample,” he said during the lucky draw prize presentation ceremony at SICC.
He said sustained turnout confirms the role of MATTA Fair in connecting travellers with licensed agents and tourism providers.
Chong thanked visitors, exhibitors and industry partners.
He said MATTA Sabah hopes to continue its partnership with main sponsors Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and RHB Bank for both fairs in 2027.
Details on dates and venues will be announced later.
There were 27 lucky draw prizes offered for the September fair.
The top three prizes were won by Lim Suan Hong (return trip from Kota Kinabalu to Shenzhen); Lina Lee (two-night stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge); and Natasha Azura Abd Azis (two-night stay at Bilit Rainforest Lodge).
Deputy chairman Noordin Sabtu said the Tawau fair will widen reach to the East Coast, and called for continued industry and public backing.
MATTA Sabah members together with the lucky draw prize winners.
