The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka Chapter is focusing on ecotourism promotion activities as an alternative to weather the COVID-19 crisis.

Its president Goh Hock Gin said the effort would add value to the tourism sector of the state which is popular among local and foreign tourists for its historic attractions and food products.

He said that extensive efforts by entrepreneurs, government authorities and tour operators could help to unlock enormous potential and strengths of the state's ecotourism products.

“Under the MATTA Melaka Chapter, we have about 15 travel agents and today we see ecotourism products as one of the new branches that can be further explored and promoted to tourists from within and outside the country.

“As such, we plan to establish a consortium involving travel agents and travellers to intensify efforts to promote and sell ecotourism products in Melaka,” he told reporters after the Jom Terokai Alor Gajah programme with the MATTA Melaka Chapter.

Goh stated that efforts to encourage ecotourism products in the state were not only made through the continuation of COVID-19, but to give visitors and nature lovers more choices.

He said that tourism was also able to give local people, especially in rural areas, new economic opportunities.