KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — Despite facing uncertainties due to the threat of Covid-19 infection, the Malaysia Association Tour Agency (MATA) will continue to promote the Malaysian Travel Fair (MTF) which will be held from March 13 to 15 at the World Trade Centre here.

Its president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said MATA said was aware of the frustration faced by its members following cancellation of tour packages bookings due to the spread of Covid-19.

As such, he said the event was organised to help them market their tourism products.

"It is safe to travel to Malaysia because the situation here is not serious and the people should not panic.

"In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020), we hope that MTF will help encourage Malaysians to travel and explore the country, thus boosting domestic tourism,” he told reporters at the 2020 MTF press conference today.

Mohd Khalid said MTF was expected to attract 110,000 visitors and achieve RM220 million in sales.

"With over 1,500 booths, we provide opportunities for any travel agency and individuals to join the MTF.

"We are also introducing the #MalaysiaIsSafe hashtag to convince local and foreign tourists to book the various exciting packages at MTF,” he said.

Tourism Malaysia Central Region deputy director Khairul Hilmi Abdul Manap said the spread of Covid-19 did not dampen efforts to promote VM2020 domestically and abroad.

"In addition to the MTF, we are also taking part in the ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin) in Berlin from March 6 to 10 to promote VM2020,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the decision by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) which is planning to take legal action against MATA over the latter’s use of the MATA acronym, Mohd Khalid said it was up to them.

"We have registered with the RoS (Registrar of Societies) and there is no issue if we are using a similar sounding acronym.

"We should help each other in an effort to boost the country’s tourism industry. If they still want to proceed with the legal action, we will let our lawyers handle it,” he said.

Matta honorary secretary Nigel Wong in a statement issued on January 5 said Matta had issued a letter of demand claiming MATA had infringed on its trademark and demanded that the association cease using the acronym. — Bernama