MATTA Connect 2026 attracted around 500 delegates from 14 countries to Ipoh, spotlighting Perak as a growing tourism destination in support of the ongoing Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Held on 29-30 July at the Ipoh Convention Centre, the event brought together 200 sellers and 300 buyers from markets including Thailand, China, Indonesia, Singapore, India and Uzbekistan.
Gracing the event were event organising chairman and MATTA’s outbound vice-president Chong Yu Ken, MATTA Perak chapter chairman Wendy Shin and Perak Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s Perak state director Muhammad Aminuddin Abdul Majid.
Perak takes the spotlight
Opening the event, YB Loh Sze Yee, Perak State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman, said the gathering came at a pivotal time for the state's tourism industry.
Perak recorded an increase in overnight domestic tourist arrivals from 10.2 million in 2024 to 10.4 million in 2025, and is on a strong momentum to achieve its target of welcoming 1.2 million international visitors and 10.5 million domestic tourists in 2026, the minister noted.
Buyers out and about exploring Perak.
To showcase the state's tourism potential, selected international buyers participated in a five-day, four-night pre-tour programme covering attractions such as the Royal Belum Rainforest, Lenggong Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ipoh and the royal town of Kuala Kangsar.
Building new tourism partnerships
Held alongside MATTA Fair Perak, the event featured structured business-matching sessions, networking opportunities and destination presentations.
The business forum included presentations from Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Perak, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Penang Global Tourism, Perak State Parks Corporation and the Islamic Tourism Centre.
Discussions focused on emerging travel trends, sustainability, digital transformation and opportunities for tourism growth.
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), one of the event's major sponsors, also hosted a dedicated buyers' lounge to engage directly with international buyers and promote Macao.
Participating through MATTA Johor, Wani Don Holidays' Nurshazwani Saadon said: “With MATTA Connect 2026, there are ample opportunities to meet industry friends from various countries, share experiences and strengthen working connections. Hope this will be the start to many more opportunities and successes in the future.”
Apart from Malaysian tourism stakeholders, international buyers cited the opportunity to meet multiple suppliers and destinations under one roof as a key benefit.
On ground at MATTA Connect 2026. President Nigel Wong added there are plans to rotate the event among the different states in Malaysia.
Connectivity remains a priority
MATTA President Nigel Wong – recently reelected for a second term – described MATTA Connect as an important platform “that brings together international buyers and Malaysian tourism businesses, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships and expansion into new markets”.
With plans to rotate MATTA Connect among the different states in Malaysia, Wong hopes that Perak's debut year in hosting MATTA Connect 2026 will serve as an exemplary model for other states to further improve future editions through broader participation, richer programming and deeper regional involvement.
He added that improved land transport and more direct flights into Ipoh will be critical to sustaining tourism growth and making the state more accessible to international visitors.
Following this year's success, MATTA confirmed that MATTA Connect 2027 will return to Perak on a larger scale, with expanded international business matching and destination showcases.