Merrier festive scene with influx of holidaymakers

CROWDS are thronging malls in search of gifts and decorations to complete their Christmas preparations.

Apart from locals, they also include those from Singapore who are taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate now.

Singaporean student Racheal Teo was spotted shopping for Christmas with her friend at a mall in Johor Baru.

“I prefer shopping in JB as I get to buy most things at a cheaper price.

“However, with the number of Covid-19 cases increasing in both Malaysia and Singapore, I have to be more careful.

“I will try to use a face mask as much as possible,” she told StarMetro.

Chain says business is up 10% compared to last year.

Administrative officer Wong Bao Xi was buying presents for his friends.

“It has become a tradition for us to exchange gifts during Christmas although we do not celebrate it as a religious festival.

“This is just something we do to show appreciation to each other.

“We will normally meet up on Christmas Day or a few days after to have a meal and exchange gifts.

Racheal (right) came from Singapore with her friend to do Christmas shopping in Johor Baru.

“However, as the price of most things have gone up, I have to be extra careful when choosing gifts,” he said.

Wong enjoys the atmosphere in malls during this period with colourful decorations and Christmas songs playing in the background.

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“The atmosphere seems to be livelier this year with more elaborate decorations in malls, hotels and restaurants.

“I noticed that some places started putting up decorations and selling Christmas goods last month,” he said.

Better sales for traders

Ivan says Christmas and New Year are always the busiest time for Johor Baru hotels.Businesses are also enjoying better sales with more people shopping for the festive season this year.

Chain Ghunn Loiu, who sells souvenirs and Christmas decorations in a mall in Johor Baru, said that the crowd was bigger than last year.

“Last Christmas was the first time people got to celebrate the festival without Covid-19 restrictions.

“The border reopened last year, allowing visitors to move freely between Johor and Singapore.”

Chain said the number of customers flowing in since early December was about 10% higher compared to the same period last year.

“Some of my customers started buying gifts and decorations more than a month before the celebration.

“I believe that the crowds will grow bigger as Christmas draws closer as many prefer last-minute shopping in hopes of getting better discounts.”

Leong: Smoother checkpoint clearance has boosted visitor numbers to Johor Baru.

Chilly Wong, who owns a shop selling Christmas decorations, said that sales were back to pre-pandemic times.

“We started selling Christmas decorations since October but things only started to pick up this month.

“However, it is not comparable to last year as that was the first time people got to fully celebrate Christmas so there was more excitement,” she said.

Decorations designer and supplier Tea Seng Huat said business was finally picking up after three years.

He designs and provides decorations for malls, hotels, theme parks and other establishments.

“There has been an 80% increase in revenue during the Christmas season this year compared to last year.

“Although Covid-19 restrictions were lifted last year, companies were worried that the situation could worsen.

Tea hard at work on one of his Christmas decor designs.

“As such, they did not spend on decorations. I had many customers who cancelled their orders at the last minute due to these concerns.

“However, things have changed and the possibility of another lockdown is slim.”

Tea said that companies were willing to spend more money on decorations this year.

“The price of materials has also gone up by about 30% and this means that I have to increase my charges.

“But companies are willing to fork out and even asked for grander designs.”

Wong buys gifts for friends for year-end festivities even though he is not Christian.

Tourism boost for Johor

Malaysia Association of Hotels Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teo said that hotels in Johor Baru were seeing an increase in bookings for Christmas and New Year.

“This is usually the busiest time for JB hotels.

“Apart from Singapore, we are also getting more tourists from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

“The weakening of the ringgit makes Malaysia an affordable travel destination.”

Ivan said rising Covid-19 cases had not affected year-end bookings.

“Most were made before the numbers started going up but there have not been many cancellations.

“We are monitoring the Covid-19 and flood situation closely and remain cautious.”

Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said smoother checkpoint clearance at the Causeway and Second Link had contributed to an increase in visitors.

“It has made a world of difference, especially as the majority of visitors are those travelling from Singapore.”

He said last year, many shops and restaurants were still closed.

“There was also a lack of manpower among businesses that wanted to operate fully.”

Leong also noted that the rising number of Covid-19 cases had not affected business.

“Most of the population here and in Singapore are vaccinated, and we have gotten used to living alongside Covid-19.

“However, it is best to take precautions by wearing a mask,” he said.