MATTA Fair 2013 afterthought and my Taiwan tour booked
Second MATTA Fair 2013 of the year has just brought to an end yesterday. I’ve dropped by the fair to see what it has to offer and here is my little report.
I saw tremendous responses from visitors looking for package deals on holidays to all over the world. As usual, Asian destinations received the most visitors since they are cheaper and nearer. That said, there is an up trend for holidays packages to less frequented European countries especially Eastern Europe, Turkey and Greece. Speciality travel packages with celebrities, organized by branded travel agencies such as Apple, are getting popular.
As expected, 3 Asian countries, Taiwan, Korea and Japan received the most interested travelers, especially when tourism boards from these countries involved extensively to set up individual booths here to boost tourism. Taiwan for instance, had over hundred travel agents, tour guides and tourism representatives purposely flew the long way from Taiwan to MATTA Fair to promote their countries, and off course, their holiday packages.
I’m one of the holiday makers who visited MATTA Fair for all three consecutive days for the same destination, Taiwan. Even though I’m an advocate for FIT, and always is, I attended the fair to look for packaged ground tour deals to Taiwan. Why? Let me explain. I will be travelling with my family in a large group of almost 20 people including elderly and small children. So now you know why.
I was spoilt for choices literally. There were too many ground tour packages on offer. I was hoping to find something that match closer to our needs.
We bought cheap flight tickets to Taiwan from Cathay Pacific which is a good start. We had 10 days to spent in Taiwan which is reasonable time frame. Since there are no ground tour spans over 10 days in Taiwan (Most ground tours are limited to 7 or at most 8 days), I decided to make one up exclusively. After some talks with Taiwan representatives, we had at least some ideas on our intended itinerary and requirement.
Then I looked for our tour guide friends from Taiwan who came here to assist this local travel agency called Chan’s World Leisurelink Travel. I believe it’s under Chan’s World travel of Singapore, correct me if I’m wrong. We discussed and plan our own 10-day itinerary with our Taiwanese friend and so lucky that Chan’s World Leisurelink Travel got the deal! 🙂
Unfortunately, there are still a few compulsory ‘Shopping stops’ in our itinerary, which I always consider them as travel hoax. Kind of consolation to me that we will have more control over them since we are in private group. 🙂
Some decoration displays at some of the booths in MATTA fair.
This is my first post on my Taiwan travel. More stories to come later of the year when my tour in December is approaching. Keep watching!
Have you got any deals during the MATTA Fair yesterday? – Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
