People return to Melaka beaches, traders overjoyed

 

Tourists were now flocking to the beaches namely Pengkalan Balak, Padang Kemunting and Tanjung Bidara in Alor Gajah, as well as Pantai Puteri in Tanjung Kling.- NSTP/HASSAN OMAR.

ALOR GAJAH: Small traders along the beach in the state can now breathe a sigh of relief as tourists have returned, following two months of poor business due to the Conditional Movement Control Order.

With the ban on interstate and interdistrict travels lifted on Dec 7, traders said tourists were now flocking to the beaches namely Pengkalan Balak, Padang Kemunting and Tanjung Bidara in Alor Gajah, as well as Pantai Puteri in Tanjung Kling.

A check at Pengkalan Balak saw food and beverage traders were enjoying brisk businesses due to the arrival of large crowds over the weekend.

Although school holidays will only begin on Monday, many parents have already decided to take their children out, a break from their daily online lessons at home.

Fruit trader Jamsari Ahmad, 39, said his business was halted following CMCO as there were hardly any people at the beach then, forcing him to seek temporary employment elsewhere.

"Alhamdulillah, my business has now been revived, with the return of tourists," he said, his customers were from all over the country.

A trader at Pantai Puteri, Abdul Razak Othman, 48, said his fried chicken stall had to be closed temporarily due to the CMCO.

"My business, like many others here, relies on visitors and tourist arrivals. Alhamdulillah, with the lift of travel ban, we are beginning to see people returning to the beach and help our businesses survive."

Kamariah Mohd Ali, 33, who visited from Putrajaya with her family, said she enjoyed coming to Pantai Puteri for a change of scenery after being at home during the CMCO. - NST