Virtual Travel Fair aims for more

SOTA has launched its Virtual Travel Fair (VTF) in collaboration with anchor tenant allMalaysia.info, The Star Online's lifestyle portal.The VTF, dubbed as the largest inventory of online travel platform in Malaysia, highlights travel deals from 4,000 packages across 24 countries from 13 until 29 March.Running for its fifth year, the VTF garnered 70,000 visits last year, which consisted of buyers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and the UK, among others."We find the consumer trends for the VTF to be more online-savvy and consists of younger users who prefer going online in the comfort of their home, than to the physical fair," Joanna Liao (pictured far right), chief marketing officer of Creative Advances Technology, the company that developed SOTA, told A+M.Advertisers can benefit from the VTF with the current 40,000 registered travelers and The Star Online's one million subscribers, which translate into immediate reach for brands.Liao added the beauty of the online market place for marketers is the availability to promote and access the system than traditionally booking for media space.This year, the VTF adds a 24-hour online e-Auction where buyers can bid for travel packages, hotel rooms and flight tickets. Besides that, by spending a minimum of RM100, buyers can stand the chance of winning a lucky draw.The campaign to promote the VTF kicks off on 13 until 29 March via online banner ads on The Star Online, social media, and radio ads on Red FM.SOTA targets to double the number of visitors this year.Sponsors of the site include Macau Tourism Board, Air France, Body Shop and KLIA Express.