PETALING JAYA: MATTA Fair CutiCuti Malaysia, scheduled for next month, has been postponed, says Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
'The decision was taken after considering the statement by the Prime Minister on March 13 and the Ministry of Health not to hold events of mass gathering of more than 250 people due to the situation of the Covid-19 outbreak with daily increase in the number of cases in the country," he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the decision to defer the fair, scheduled to take place on April 4 and 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was a difficult one to make, as MATTA had made all the necessary preparations for the inaugural event to promot e domestic travel and tourism.
"However, we had to make the right and responsible decision, as the health and well-being of the people is the top priority.
"While we have taken the necessary precautionary health measures, we decided to defer the fair so as not to aggravate the situation and hope that Malaysia will recover at the fastest possible time," he said.
MATTA Fair Cuti-Cuti Malaysia is the first-ever domestic version of the popular MATTA Fair. It is aimed to encourage local tourism, following a decrease in tourist arrivals from China owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Over 200 operators were expected to offer various packages with great discounts during the inaugural exhibition.