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The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang MATTA Fair 2025 highlights local and international travel
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2025 kicked off on Saturday (May 24) at Setia SPICE Arena. Featuring 258 booths from 90 organizations, the two-day event includes various offers and packages from industries in the tourism sector. Among the participants are 60 tour and travel agencies, the Uganda Tourism Board, 11 hotels and resorts, a theme park, and one airline company. Tourism offices from Selangor, Melaka, Pahang, and Sabah also participated. This year's Penang edition is unique as it focuses on local destinations in support of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Besides local destinations, international travel packages are also available. MATTA Penang chapter chairman Carolyn Leong said the first day of the event was positive, with visitors lining up at the entrance from as early as 10am. "We expect some 45,000 visitors to attend the two-day event," she said. Leong mentioned that visitors can look forward to various packages for domestic tourist destinations, such as Sabah and Sarawak, with direct flights from Penang through Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Regarding international travel packages, China is expected to be a major market, driven by the recent implementation of visa-free policies. Industry observers anticipate a surge in outbound travel to China. "Australia is also projected to attract a significant number of travelers, while European destinations, particularly Paris, are gaining momentum following the launch of direct flights. Additionally, Hong Kong remains a strong destination, supported by the availability of direct air connections," she said. Leong said MATTA expects to see sales of RM45mil during the two-day event, open from 10am to 9pm. State tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai officiated the event.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Uganda holds annual tourism expo to boost arrivals
KAMPALA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, Uganda's premium tourism show, opened here on Wednesday as the East African country strives to boost tourist arrivals. "The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is one of the most influential regional expos, drawing together tourism stakeholders, business leaders, media, and investors from all corners of the world," Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, said while opening the three-day event. "It provides a vital platform for the formation of cross-border networks, trade synergies, and investment opportunities that will benefit all participating nations," Nabbanja added. Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime said the expo, which is organized by the Uganda Tourism Board, a state agency responsible for tourism promotion, has attracted delegates from market sources in Africa, Britain, the United States, and Asia. "The expo is more than just an event as it connects businesses and promotes the country as a leading tourist destination," Butime said. The event, which has attracted 450 exhibitors from at least 50 countries, is held under the theme "Experience the Heart of Uganda: Lifestyle and Hospitality." The expo will also involve business-to-business sessions, knowledge exchanges, exhibitions, and familiarization trips. Uganda aims to raise annual tourism revenue to about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars and increase inbound tourism revenue per visitor from 1,052 dollars to 1,500 dollars, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. According to the ministry, the country's tourism revenue for the year ending 2023 rose to more than 1 billion dollars, up from about 687,200 million dollars in the year ending 2022. Tourism is one of Uganda's major foreign exchange earners, contributing about 5 percent to the country's gross domestic product, according to data from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Uganda eyes $5.2bln tourism boom
Uganda is eyeing a tourism windfall of $5.2 billion in revenue by 2028, with a target of 3.5 million visitors a year over the next five years. This means that Kampala wants to increase the number of tourists from the current 1.5 million per year in the next three years. One of its key strategies is the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (Poate), which was launched in 2024 and returning this year from May 21 to 24. Uganda hopes to host 70 international buyers and over 5,000 trade visitors, using the platform to position itself as a premier travel destination. Alongside the expo, the government has introduced familiarisation trips (FAMs) to give global buyers first-hand experience of Uganda's landscapes and attractions. To boost domestic and international interest, Kampala has launched the Tell Your Story campaign, encouraging Ugandans to share personal travel experiences via social media. The initiative aims to highlight hidden gems and cultural heritage, amplify local voices and attract new visitors to Uganda's diverse offerings. According to Lilly Ajarova, outgoing executive director of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), these efforts are crucial for building Uganda's global tourism reputation. ' as an essential bridge connecting Uganda's tourism offerings with the world, facilitating collaboration, investment, and long-term partnerships,' she said. Beyond marketing, UTB chairperson Pearl Kakooza says the country is also working to attract investors to its national parks, with plans to offer new concessions as many leases expire. The move is in line with the country's broader ambition to boost tourism's contribution to GDP tenfold from the current 3.6 percent. Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, underlines the government's commitment: 'We are focused on driving real investments and creating new partnerships to ensure the sector's growth.' © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
