The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is celebrating its Golden Anniversary this year. There is plenty to celebrate. The Association says it has "evolved in tandem with the industry itself, navigating through global evolution and economic challenges.”
THEN: In 1975 a small group of Malaysian travel professionals came together with a shared purpose – to form a unified voice for the travel and tour industry in Malaysia. Through this ambition, MATTA was born and has since grown into a national force that has shaped the Malaysian tourism landscape for half a century.
From its earliest days, MATTA has backed grassroot travel agents, becoming their voice and ensuring that their interests are heard.
NEXT: In 1991, MATTA pioneered the first MATTA Fair, originally known as the Malaysia International Travel Fair (MITF). The goal was simple yet impactful: to connect Malaysians with travel agents and travel opportunities under one roof.
Today, the fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, generating millions in sales. It remains a point of pride for MATTA – “a testament to achieve astonishing milestones through shared vision, collaboration, and commitment to industry excellence”.
MATTA has emerged stronger since its inception 50 years ago.
NOW: In 2011, MATTA stepped into a new era by opening its own headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, a significant milestone that marked the Association’s growth and maturity. The headquarters became more than just a one stop centre: it symbolised MATTA’s permanence, leadership, and long-term commitment to the Malaysian travel industry.
MATTA says it continues to advocate and stand at the forefront of policy engagement and industry empowerment.
“We have faced challenges together, including the devastating impact of the pandemic, but we have recovered and emerged stronger, more united and more prepared to face what lies ahead,” said Nigel Wong, president of MATTA.