KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) launched an artificial intelligence-powered platform called Matta Online so that members and consumers can transact on a secure platform.
Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said this online platform was to support small and medium travel agents in terms of marketing.
"In line with the government's initiative on digitalisation, it is set to improve business opportunities, increase occupancy, bolster revenue generation and boost travel trade profitability.
"Matta Online also provides an alternative for consumers to buy from a licensed platform to eliminate scammers, Internet fraud, unlicensed travel agents as well as protecting consumers by providing a safe, regulated and trusted environment to shop for travel packages," he said.
Tan said Matta collaborated with technology provider Fusionex to develop the platform, which aims to reach up to 16.29 million Malaysians as well as target a global consumer audience.
"As of today, we have more than 300 unique packages and more than 150 travel agents and tour operators registered with the platform.
"Products are being uploaded by merchants daily and we expect to hit our growth target of 300 agents on board with more than 3,000 packages on sale by the end of the year."
In conjunction with the launch of the platform, Tan said consumers could redeem up to RM300 in travel vouchers when purchasing domestic packages on Matta Online as part of the Tourism Recovery Plan 2.0 initiative by the government of Malaysia.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri was the guest of honour at the launch.
Nancy said she was impressed with the partnership between Matta and Fusionex, as she believed the collaboration would enable tourism players to reach out to more consumers and provide a major contribution to the tourism industry.
"This platform will serve the best needs of travellers both Malaysians and foreigners alike, and will give tourism players, especially Matta members, a clear and distinct advantage in the online travel space.
"There is no doubt that digital transformation has been a vital and rapid component of the tourism industry especially in the past two years, and the digital lifestyle is here to stay.
"Digitalisation is expected to continue pushing forward the agenda for seamless, frictionless, and high-quality service in the tourism sector, and in a way that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals."