The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) officially opened the second edition of MATTA Connect 2026 at the Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC), marking the start of two days of business networking among tourism professionals from Malaysia and around the world.
The Opening Ceremony, graced by YB Loh Sze Yee, Chairman of the Perak State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee, took place at a pivotal time as Perak continues to strengthen its position as one of Malaysia’s leading tourism destinations in support of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
With overnight domestic tourist arrivals increasing from 10.2 million in 2024 to 10.4 million in 2025, Perak is building on this strong momentum as it works towards welcoming 1.2 million international visitors and 10.5 million domestic tourists in 2026.
The second edition of MATTA Connect, held in Perak, coincides with MATTA Fair Perak and plays a significant role in supporting these aspirations by showcasing the state’s tourism offerings to global delegates.
“MATTA Connect is an important platform that brings together international buyers and Malaysian tourism businesses, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships and expansion into new markets. By welcoming the international travel trade to Perak, we are introducing the state’s diverse tourism experiences and supporting Visit Malaysia 2026. The connections established here will help generate greater international interest in Malaysia and create lasting opportunities for our tourism industry,” said Nigel Wong, President of MATTA.
Throughout the two-day programme, held from 29 – 30 July, delegates will participate in structured B2B business matching sessions, destination presentations, networking engagements and the Business Forum, where industry experts will share insights on emerging travel trends, digital transformation, sustainability and future opportunities within the tourism sector.
The Business Forum will open with presentations from Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Perak, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Penang Global Tourism, followed by presentations from Perak State Parks Corporation as well as Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC). The session concludes with contributions from the Official Bank Partner; RHB Bank, Travel Technology Partner, MyTravelKaki and other industry representatives.
Prior to the event, selected semi-hosted international buyers participated in a five-day, four-night Pre-Tour Programme across Perak from 24 – 28 July 2026, experiencing destinations including Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, the Lenggong Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Royal Belum Rainforest. The programme provided buyers with first-hand destination experiences, enabling them to better promote Malaysia to their respective international markets.
MATTA Connect 2026 is supported by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Perak, alongside RHB Bank Berhad as its Official Bank Partner with strategic partners including Penang Global Tourism, MGTO, Meru Valley Resort Berhad and Spritzer EcoPark Sdn Bhd.
As one of MATTA Connect 2026’s major sponsors, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has also set up a dedicated Buyers’ Lounge at the event, providing a platform for MGTO to engage directly with international buyers and promote Macao as a travel destination.