Macao will take centre stage as the International Favourite Destination for the second consecutive year at the upcoming MATTA Fair.
Organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the twice-yearly event will run from 3–5 April 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
“Macao’s return comes at a time when short-haul travel within Asia remains robust, with regional travel continuing to shape Southeast Asia’s tourism strategy,” said Mohd Hizzat Mohd Shah, MATTA’s vice president of research and technology, at a press event on 26 March.
The destination’s renewed spotlight aligns with its push to position itself as a preferred choice for Malaysian travellers, including the growing Muslim segment.
“Last year, Macao welcomed 188,000 Malaysians. We hope to see a 5% growth this year,” said Cheng Wai Tong, deputy director, Macao Government Tourist Office. “We are also aggressively promoting Macao as a Muslim-friendly travel destination and have been working with stakeholders to improve the experience for this segment.”
Initiatives include supporting restaurants in obtaining halal certification and encouraging hotels to introduce more Muslim-friendly amenities. At the fair, visitors can also experience Macao’s intangible cultural heritage through activities such as tai chi performances and azulejo tile painting.
Related: Macao’s Muslim-friendly tourism: What travellers need to know
On the domestic front, Johor has been named the Fair’s featured destination, highlighting local tourism offerings alongside international showcases.
“This partnership was a welcome and a timely collaboration. Johor has always held a special place on the Malaysian travel map, and in recent years we have seen growing interest from both domestic and international travellers eager to rediscover what the state has to offer,” said Nigel Wong, president of MATTA.
The 58th edition of the MATTA fair will occupy a total exhibition space of 40,820 sqm across 10 halls at MITEC. The event will feature 2,043 booths from 330 participating organisations, including 210 tour and travel agencies offering diverse curated travel packages.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage with 6 National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), 11 State Tourism Organisations (STOs), 63 hotels and resorts, 11 theme parks and 28 other travel-related service providers, making the fair a comprehensive space for discovering new destinations and experiences.
Free shuttle buses to MITEC are provided from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall.