MALAYSIA TRAVEL FAIR YOGYAKARTA: A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND NEW EXPERIENCES

YOGYAKARTA, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Travel Fair, which wrapped up on Sunday, effectively showcased Malaysia's tourism and cultural offerings, while enchanting visitors with a variety of engaging performances.

The exhibition also sparked interest in the tourism sector among locals, raising awareness of Malaysia's unique destinations and cultural heritage.

Attractions included a "teh tarik" demonstration by Fakir Mohamed Jamal Mohamed, who is famous for showcasing various intriguing "teh tarik" skills and extraordinary techniques.

 Additionally, visitors were treated to traditional dance performances by the Melaka Art Brigade, the official dance group of Melaka, which showcased the uniqueness and rich cultural heritage of the state.

Dressed in colourful traditional attire, the dancers moved gracefully to the rhythm of the music, and the energetic performance succeeded in captivating the audience, who joined in dancing on stage at the end of the show.

Meanwhile, Desvita, an executive at Always Tour and Travel, said the exhibition successfully attracted significant interest in travel packages to Malaysia.

She mentioned that there were many inquiries about trips to various destinations, particularly to Kuala Lumpur, followed by Singapore or Thailand.

"Most of the inquiries came from families planning vacations during the school holidays," she said.

The three-day exhibition, which highlighted Malaysia's culture and heritage, was organised by Tourism Malaysia Jakarta in collaboration with the Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies (Asita) and the Indonesian Travel Agent Association (Astindo).

Hairi Mohd Yakzan, Director of Tourism Malaysia Jakarta, said the event spotlighted Malaysia's tourist destinations and also sparked curiosity while building a cultural bridge between Malaysia and Indonesia.

"This effort is not only about promoting tourism but also fostering a deeper understanding and relationship between the two countries," he said, adding that Yogyakarta is a second-tier city with good connectivity that needs to be explored.

-- BERNAMA