LONDON, 5 November 2018: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have developed a collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation to drive the emerging cruise tourism in Malaysia.
The MoU signing ceremony was completed by MATTA President, Datuk Tan Kok Liang and CLIA Senior Vice President, Membership & Director UK & Ireland, Mr. Andy Harmer and witnessed by the Honourable Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia at the World Travel Market (WTM) London.
Tan said “Cruise as one of the fastest growing leisure travel segments globally and has been picking up steam in Malaysia. According to the CLIA’s Asia Cruise Trends Report 2018, Malaysian cruise source passenger count nearly doubled in 2017, an increase of 87.8K passengers, or about 88% up year over year.”
“Meanwhile, the number of international cruise call to local ports has grown to 599 at 2017 compared to 435 at 2016. The number of intermediate stops by international cruise holiday ships is expected to grow to 628 by year 2020.”
“The strategic cooperation between both associations will focus on the development and sustainable growth of the cruise tourism in Malaysia through education and awareness to members; thus uplifting the domestic socio-economic activities and growth of the tourism industry. Members from both associations will be able to leverage on each other's technical knowledge, expertise and experience for expansion and growth.”
“We are optimistic that this strategic cooperation will create favourable conditions for the continuous growth of the cruise tourism in Malaysia and enhance members business offerings and services to consumers.”
CLIA Australasia & Asia Managing Director, Mr. Joel Katz added, “The signing of this MoU would align the efforts of CLIA and MATTA to create exciting opportunities that will benefit the cruise industry. We look forward to working together with MATTA to promote the growth of cruise tourism in Malaysia.”
DATUK TAN KOK LIANG
President MATTA
Term 2017 – 2019