Firefly, an airline under Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) entered into a collaborative agreement with MATTA Penang and Sabah Chapter to provide unrivalled offers and wider connectivity for the Northern and East Malaysia region customers. The collaborative agreement was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Firefly, Mr Philip See Yew Jin, together with MATTA Penang Chapter chairman, Mr Vergis Mathew and MATTA Sabah Chapter, Mr Lawrence Chim.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah and Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, Mr Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang Chairman of the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Datuk Tan Kok Liang, MATTA President.

Through this collaborative partnership, Firefly encourages more leisure-centric customers to travel to various local and domestic destinations, offering bundle deals from airlines to travel packages via all registered travel agents by MATTA.

Philip See said, "As an airline partner, Firefly is thrilled to support the state tourism and be part of the coordinated efforts of travel and tourism players to reinvigorate the domestic travel and tourism activities in Malaysia. Since last April, many activities have been reactivated, especially on-ground activation and physical events. Even today, many travel agents indicate that people's travel demand is returning. We are optimistic that the tourism industry will be able to return to pre-pandemic conditions, and more local and foreign people are flying inbound and outbound."

The collaboration between Firefly, MATTA Penang and Sabah chapter will focus on wide-ranging initiatives, including joint sales and marketing campaigns, attractive travel packages, travel events, familiarisation trips, branding and promotional activities between an airline and travel service providers.

In addition, holiday goers can grab a special offer to Penang for three days and two nights, including airfare, accommodation, and breakfast for only RM700 per pax. While those are travelling from Penang to Kota Kinabalu, a free and easy offer is also feasible for the same package at RM549 per pax.

Vergis Mathews said, “Just two weeks ago, Firefly and the MATTA chapters of Penang and Johor collaborated where a total of 80 packages worth RM48,000 was booked at the MATTA Johor Fair. This collaboration provided the first window of opportunity where we can do more between MATTA and our strategic partners who are passionate about reviving and rejuvenating the magic of air travel through inbound and domestic tourism. Today’s collaboration takes us across the South China Seas between Penang and Sabah. Through MATTA registered travel agents, a three days and two nights for two (buy one free one) as a special free and easy package will be available for RM1099 from August 2022 to July 2023.”

Lawrence Chim added he is equally confident that this package of three days and two nights would be a good package to promote. There has been wide interest in the package. Efforts are currently made to encourage more travel agents to participate and with wider social media awareness MATTA Fair Penang is held from 20 August 2022 to 21 August 2022 at Setia SPICE Arena and attended by over 80 travel agents, media partners, and tourism bodies.

At this two-day event, customers can look forward to fantastic deals up to 25% off from RM49 for early bird booking for flight tickets on all Firefly destinations using Boeing 737-800 jets, holiday packages and experiences and many more. Customers who purchase Firefly flight tickets from participating agents may
redeem Starbucks vouchers worth RM20. Visit Firefly booth to take advantage of great bargains, join activities, and win exciting prizes.

In April 2022, Firefly launched a flight service using Boeing 737-800 jets from Penang to Langkawi, Johor Bharu, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. The Service is expanded to Phuket, Thailand, offering customers greater flexibility, better value and widening Firefly coverage for international destinations. MATTA is the national umbrella representative body for the entire travel industry in the country, with about 2,900 member organisations comprising local tour and travel organisations as well as numerous overseas affiliations.