Malaysia To Grow Muslim Tourism Through New Mart

The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), in  collaboration with Malaysia's tourism ministry and Tourism Malaysia, will organise the World Islamic Tourism Mart 2012 (WITM 2012) from May 31 to June 1 in Kuala Lumpur.\

The event is projected to enhance the potential of the Muslim tourism sector within the context of a global population of 1.6 billion Muslims and their growing affluence.

MATTA president, Khalid Harun said: "WITM 2012 is (being) organised to cater to the vast untapped Muslim tourism market."

 Added international trade and industry deputy minister Mukhriz Mahathir, "WITM 2012 is a one-stop platform or event in Malaysia for all sectors of the tourism industry to meet, network, promote, showcase, market and sell their products and services to the Muslim tourism market."

The mart will incorporate three components - a business-to-business networking session where buyers meet sellers, a consumer exhibition and a one-day conference. An estimated 500 quality buyers from the  global Muslim tourism diaspora, including Malaysia, are expected to attend.

The mart is set to be annual feature in Malaysia. "WITM is here to stay and will be a yearly event. This is the commitment of MATTA to the tourism industry," Khalid said.