The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) shows their appreciation for the appointment of YBhg.

Tan Sri Dr. Ong Hong Peng as Tourism Malaysia’s new chairman. He has been on service since August 9, 2022.

Datuk Tan Kok Liang, President of MATTA, said that the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia has made a wise and accurate selection.

The tourism sector needs qualified people to oversee Malaysia’s major tourism promotion board.

He also said that capable leaders are vital particularly after the pandemic years, to reconstruct an industry which has been devastated by the pandemic.

The organisation is optimistic and certain that Tan Sri Dr. Ong who served as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for long 8 years will incorporate new strategies to rebuild and boost Malaysia’s tourism industry.

The latter also added that he met Ta Sri Dr. Ong for the first time in 2009 when he was the chairperson. He found the president to be a fair and realistic man who has always been able to find a solution to their issues and challenges.

Tan Sri Dr. Ong served as the Chairman of the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA), Chairman and Board Member of Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Board Member of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Tioman Development Authority, Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and Small and Medium Industry Development Corporation (SMIDEC). He was also the member of the Investment Panel Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP).

MATTA is hopeful and certain that Tourism Malaysia will soar higher under the guidance of its new chairman reach the zenith in the fraternity.

Tan inferred that they have entered a brand new era of tourism. This presents both new opportunities and challenges. He also added that MATTA will always be in the leading position to lend a helping hand to Tourism Malaysia.

This is because private-public relationships are pivotal to this sector.