MATTA Fair

I’ve been going to the MATTA Fair almost religiously for the past few years. For those who don’t know, the Fair is organised by local tour and travel agents who are members of MATTA and is held twice a year, in March and September (except for one year where the second edition was held in October due to the festivities. For the past two years, it’s been held in September despite it being a fasting month). Besides tour operators, airline companies, tourism boards of other countries, hotel and resort operators, VISA, time-sharing companies, other tourism-related companies (including Aquaria and KLIA Transit although they are not regular participants) and retailers of winter clothes and credit card providers also participate in the Fair. Lucky draws, quizzes, special offers and even cultural performance (usually from abroad) are normal features at the Fair.

The Fair is usually held in three (or is it four?) halls at PWTC with the entrance fee fixed at RM3 for the past few Fairs. You will see representatives of tour operators as early as near the PWTC LRT station and you will encounter more of them as you walk towards the Hall. Of late, I’ve seen one major tour operator with a booth outside the entrance to PWTC itself. As you head towards the main hall where the Fair is, you will pass booths selling yoghurt drinks and M&Ms (they are the usual booths present) and rooms (one would normally be reserved by camera retailers).

You join a queue to pay for your entrance fee and get a sticker in exchange (to be worn around your wrist), The Star paper pullout of holiday adverts and, of late, a bag to store the pamphlets that you pick (or have shoved in your face. Yes, everyone gets really aggressive at the Fair). Then you walk up the escalator and enter the first hall. This first hall is normally for operators offering promotions for local destinations and time-sharing companies. You will start experiencing more harassment here especially by over-enthusiastic time-sharing company reps promising you free night stay or lucky draws if you only spare a few minutes to listen to them. In fact, I joined one of my time-sharing companies at the MATTA Fair – it’s normally cheaper as they slash the fee by 30% and/or have either interest-fee or flexible instalment programme.

To get to the other halls, make your way to the other exit (not from where you entered) and walk down the covered walkway across the river to the other halls. Travel agents offering overseas trips, airline companies and tourism boards of other countries are in these halls. Cultural performances are also held in one of those halls.

What do I do at the Fair? I normally study the list of participating airline companies and tourism boards before visiting them. If I plan to go somewhere, I’d go check out a few booths to compare the deals. Otherwise, I just pick a few leaflets from some agents and brochures and maps from tourism boards. I try to arrive early and I try not to linger too long at the Fair because I can’t stand crowds (the crowds grow as the day progresses). Of late, I also see a few foreigners/expatriates at the Fair. Once you exit, you can always re-enter at the main entrance so long as you still have your sticker on you. Sticker is only valid on day of purchase of course.

In all those visits to the Fair, I’ve only bought one package tour to Korea, two Muslim tours to Beijing and Shanghai, a return ticket to attend my MBA graduation, hotel stay in Jakarta, tours in Solo and Jogjakarta and dining vouchers at The Legend Hotel (dim sum and high tea). Oh and I joined one of my timesharing companies there too, as mentioned earlier.

I’m off to the Fair tomorrow. See you there if you’re going too!

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It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday (well, in the UK at least) and I got a cute card from sweetie pie Farah two days ago. She even scribbled her wish to me. Aww, isn’t that sweet and thoughtful. Thanks sweetheart!

And the Sports Relief Mile is next Sunday. Here you can see Diaby and Nasri (his wonder goal still gives me the fuzzies) don Sports Relief socks to show their support for the London Mile.

We face Hull late tomorrow. Song will miss it as he serves his second two-match ban. The Captain is a doubt ;’( and so are Sagna and Sol (well, guess he won’t ever meet Tango head this season since he missed the first leg too. And I’m sure watching from the stands again will be painful for Cesc: our captain is committed to the Arsenal cause OK!). Gallas is still out. Hopefully Bendtner’s hat trick on Tuesday (it was also Emirates’ first) was not a ‘down payment’ for any misses between now until end of the season. And hopefully the lads will continue their fine run for the title and for Ramsey who is recuperating - and bored. You can win Cesc’s ‘Get Well Soon Aaron’ t-shirt here (can someone win it for me please, please, please??). I can’t wait for RvP to come back (seen here in black, white and blue. Wait, he’s not injured enough to model?).

Have a good weekend, everyone. Come on Arsenal!