All eyes on Sabah at KL travel fest

The Star

2 days ago

(From left) Phua, Sheikh Awadh and Alex at the MATTA Fair press conference in Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: Low Lay Phon/The Star and filepics (Right) Proboscis monkey will represent Sabah in plushie form.
Adventure junkies in Klang Valley are in for a treat at the upcoming Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair in Kuala Lumpur.
Sabah Tourism Board will be showcasing tour packages to scale the state's top five peaks as the travel extravaganza takes to Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) from Sept 5 to 7.
As this year's Favourite Malaysian Destination is Sabah, the focus will be on its culture, adventure and nature packages.
Sabah Tourism Board marketing manager Bobby Alex said: 'We will be promoting tour packages to the top five peaks in Sabah, namely Mount Kinabalu (4,095m), Mt Trus Madi (2,642m), Mt Sinsing (2,586m), Mt Tambu­yukon (2,579m) and Mt Kaingaran (2,468m).
'We will also be highlighting family packages as well as tourism packages to Tawau and Kudat.
'These attractions include Pulau Banggi, which is a new frontier for adventure seekers,' he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Mt Tambuyukon, one of Sabah's rugged peaks.
During the April edition of MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah recorded an impressive RM4.5mil in sales, a 46% increase compared to the same period last year, he added.
MATTA deputy president Sheikh Awadh Sheikh Abdullah said the September edition was expected to feature 2,040 booths and new halls to accommodate a wide range of tourism products.
'We are expecting around 180,000 visitors during the three days.
'With RM250mil in sales during the same period last year, we hope to achieve even greater sales this year.
'We are also proud to recognise Sabah as Malaysia's Favourite Destination at the fair as Sabah has some of the best connectivity with over 30 airlines servicing the state,' he said.
Visitors to the fair will have a chance to win prizes through a series of contests.
The Visit Malaysia 2026 sun bear mascots Wira and Manja will also be at the event, while Sabah will be represented by plushies of the proboscis monkey.
MATTA honorary secretary-general Phua Tai Neng, who was also present, said sustainable tourism was the way forward.
'There will be many more products and initiatives centred on sustainable tourism.
'We also urge visitors to use the complimentary double-decker shuttle bus services from KL Sentral station and Sunway Putra Mall to Mitec.'
MATTA Fair Kuala Lumpur will open from 10am to 9pm. Admission is free.