As Malaysia prepares for the highly anticipated Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the Malaysia Tourism Agency Association (MATA) is proud to announce a landmark collaboration between its Interactive Virtual Tourism (IVT) platform and 2C2P, a leading Southeast Asian payments provider under Ant International’s Antom.

This strategic partnership marks a significant leap in modernizing the travel experience, ensuring secure, real-time booking transactions between travelers and licensed travel agents, while helping to combat scams and unregulated operators that threaten the industry.

“This partnership with 2C2P is a game-changer. It not only enhances the credibility and security of Malaysia’s travel industry but directly supports the government’s goal to attract higher-value tourists and boost tourism spending as part of Visit Malaysia 2026,” said Dato’ Seri Mohd Khalid Harun, President of MATA.

What is IVT — and Why It Matters:

IVT is Malaysia’s first real-time virtual consultation platform that connects consumers directly to verified, MOTAC-licensed travel agencies. By offering a face-to-face virtual experience, travelers can ask questions, validate credentials, and make secure payments – all within one safe digital ecosystem. This ensures:

Trustworthy travel planning: IVT provides a secure, real-time virtual platform where travelers can directly consult with licensed, verified travel professionals. Before making any payment or booking, users can:

• Speak face-to-face with agents via video call
• Ask detailed questions about packages, accommodations, and itineraries
• Verify agency licenses and credentials

This personalized, human-centered approach builds trust and confidence — especially important when planning long-distance, family, or religious trips.

Increased consumer protection: With rising concerns over travel scams, fake agents, and unauthorized bookings, IVT gives consumers an added layer of security by ensuring:

• All travel agents on the platform are screened and approved by MATA and registered under MOTAC
• Transactions are processed through 2C2P’s secure payment gateway, minimizing risks of fraud or unauthorized charges
• A digital trail is created for every transaction, making dispute resolution more straightforward

This system offers peace of mind to travelers who want assurance that their hard-earned money is going to a legitimate service provider.

Transparent pricing and zero hidden fees: Unlike some online platforms that show misleading promotions or last-minute surcharges, IVT enforces clear, honest pricing:

• Travel packages are fully itemized with real-time updates during virtual consultations
• No third-party booking agents mean no markups or unexpected fees
• Users see the full cost before making a decision, enabling better budgeting and smarter planning

By removing ambiguity and offering full transparency, IVT makes it easier for travelers to compare options, avoid financial traps, and make confident booking decisions.

As travel fraud and online scams become more rampant, IVT provides the public with a secure digital gateway to plan trips, book tours, and explore Malaysia or international destinations confidently.

Empowering the Tourism Industry and Government

Through this partnership:

• Tourism operators can securely accept payments using travelers’ preferred payment methods, both local and international.
• State tourism boards and government-linked agencies can better monitor, regulate, and support tourism services across digital platforms.
• Small and medium travel operators benefit from cost-effective digital tools, levelling the playing field against unlicensed competitors.

Tourism has long been one of Malaysia’s top GDP contributors. By digitizing and securing the booking and consultation process, IVT:

• Expands market reach for local travel agents, enabling them to connect with global travelers virtually
• Stimulates inbound and domestic travel through trusted, real-time planning and secure transactions
• Reduces revenue leakages by ensuring all bookings and payments are traceable and tax-compliant

This digital ecosystem will drive increased transaction volumes, thus boosting Malaysia’s tourism-related GDP as more tourists confidently engage with verified local travel providers.

Driving Employment Growth in Tech and Tourism Sectors

The fusion of travel and technology through IVT creates new job opportunities and upskills existing professionals in both sectors:

• Tourism sector gains renewed momentum through digital travel agents, online consultants, and tourism advisors operating in virtual environments
• Tech sector benefits from increased demand for roles in cybersecurity, payment gateway support, UX/UI design, and customer service for digital platforms

As small travel businesses adapt to the IVT system, the need for digitally literate tourism professionals grows—fueling Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in smart tourism solutions.

Many informal or small-scale travel operators often operate without proper licensing, leading to issues of tax evasion, consumer fraud, and lack of accountability. Through MATA’s IVT platform:

• Only licensed and MOTAC-registered agents are allowed to participate
• All transactions are recorded via 2C2P’s regulated payment system, promoting financial transparency
• Small and medium-sized travel businesses are encouraged to register and digitize in order to access the platform’s benefits

This process not only formalizes the informal travel economy, but also aligns local players with national digitalization and regulatory goals. It supports Malaysia’s transition toward a fully accountable and modern tourism industry.

“We’re excited to support this transformative initiative with MATA, offering a secure, seamless payment infrastructure for both agencies and travelers,” said Reggie Weston, Executive Director of Business and Product Development at 2C2P. “This innovation is critical to rebuilding traveler confidence and increasing Malaysia’s global competitiveness.”

Driving Employment Growth in Tech and Tourism Sectors

As Malaysia welcomes millions of tourists for Visit Malaysia 2026, IVT will act as a central platform for showcasing curated experiences, trusted tour operators, and regional tourism highlights.

The collaboration also supports Malaysia’s digital economy by:

• Attracting tech-savvy, high-value travelers
• Supporting cashless tourism ecosystems
• Driving adoption of verified digital tourism platforms