by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / Pic courtesy of Matta

PENANG is the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ (Matta) first official online partner to reactivate the tourism industry, which is also part of the Penang Tourism Master Plan’s digitisation initiative.

Penang state Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) Yeoh Soon Hin said the collaboration with Matta Online will further develop the state’s promotional activities via varied e-commerce platforms.

“Penang’s tourism industry will not only offer travellers alternative ways to book a memorable staycation, which has become increasingly important since the pandemic.

“The value-for-money deals on accommodations, attractions, tours coupled with Penang’s fantastic diversity in culture, heritage, arts, food as well as its natural surroundings of lovely sandy beaches and breath-taking hills are certainly not to be missed,” Yeoh said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile, Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said its pioneering efforts for the online platform are to support small and medium travel agents in terms of marketing.

He said it is set to improve business opportunities, increase occupancy, bolster revenue generation and boost travel trade profitability, in line with the government initiative of the digital economy.

“With the launch of this new platform, tourism players have responded positively and are eager to promote their products and attractions. This is timely for the Malaysian travel and tourism industry,” he added.

Tan said Matta Online also provides an alternative for consumers to buy from a licensed platform to eliminate scammers, Internet fraud and unlicensed travel agents.