MATTA Fair S'wak 2026 opens to enthusiastic crowd

KUCHING, 28 March 2026 — The 2026 edition of MATTA Fair Sarawak kicked off this morning at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), drawing a good crowd of eager travellers on the very first day, a clear sign of Sarawakians' good appetite for travelling.

The two-day fair was officially opened earlier today by Deputy Minister for Creative Industry & Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, representing Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Following the ceremony, Snowdan toured the fair, stopping by booths and seeing first-hand the wide range of travel packages on offer.

Speaking at the opening, Snowdan highlighted the importance of the tourism industry to Sarawak's future, saying tourism is a strategic pillar of development, an enabler of inclusive growth, a catalyst for job creation, and a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and global engagement.

He also praised MATTA's efforts in growing the tourism sector in new directions, particularly through sports tourism.

"The introduction of sports tourism, especially through emerging trends such as pickleball, reflects a forward-thinking mindset that embraces new market opportunities, diversifies our tourism portfolio, and enhances Sarawak's competitiveness on the global stage," he said.

Meanwhile, this year's fair is the biggest yet. Speaking at the opening ceremony, MATTA Sarawak Chapter Chairman, Oscar Choo, revealed that the fair is hosting a record 138 booths (up from 108 at the last edition) packed with travel deals covering destinations in Southeast Asia, Asia, and beyond.

He said the response from both exhibitors and visitors has been overwhelming, building on the strong momentum from the previous edition last August.

"In our last edition, we welcomed over 13,000 visitors and achieved sales exceeding RM10.8 million in just two days. With the continued support of our partners and visitors, we are confident of surpassing these figures once again," Oscar said.

The buzz on the fair floor this morning reflected exactly that confidence. Families, couples, and solo travellers were seen browsing booths, picking up brochures, and enquiring about packages, with destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, and China drawing good interest.

Visitors are spoilt for choice, with packages covering "pristine beaches and vibrant cities to tranquil highlands and rich cultural experiences," as Oscar described it.

For those who prefer to explore closer to home, domestic travel packages are also well-represented, with organisers promoting Sarawak and Malaysia's own treasures.

Adding to the excitement, official airline partner Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is giving away flight tickets as part of a Buyers' Contest, with prizes including Business Class return tickets from Kuching to Chengdu, and Economy Class tickets to Paris, Danang, Krabi, and Cebu. Hotel vouchers from a host of Sarawak's top properties are also up for grabs, courtesy of sponsors including Hilton Kuching, Pullman Kuching, Riverside Majestic Hotel, and Damai Beach Resort, among others.

RHB Bank Berhad returns as the official bank partner, offering tailored financial deals for fair-goers.

In an exciting announcement at the opening, Oscar revealed that the MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam (MPG) 2026 will be held in Kuala Lumpur this October. It's the second edition of the tournament, following a hugely successful debut in Kuching last year that attracted over 800 players from 11 countries and more than 1,500 spectators.

MATTA Fair Sarawak 2026 runs today and tomorrow, March 28–29, 2026, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. Admission is open to the public, so if you have been thinking about your next holiday, this weekend is a great time to start planning.