Rantau panjang: Traders in Rantau Panjang town here breathed a sigh of relief as the duty-free zone area once again became a focal point during the school holidays, thus reviving the 'cowboy town'.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a survey found a significant increase in the number of visitors to the area, which was not only enlivened by residents but also by the presence of visitors from Penang, Terengganu, and Pahang. The rows of shops and food stalls are filled with people taking the opportunity to make purchases and enjoy the town's atmosphere with their families.

Clothing vendor, Farida Hassan, 36, expressed relief over the long holidays for festivals and school breaks, which brought a surge in visitors. She noted the difficulty of earning around RM200 a day during regular times, but since the school holidays began last week, her earnings have soared to almost RM1,000 a day. To compensate for previous low sales periods, Farida has also ventured into online sales as an alternative.

Another clothing trader, Mohd Shakirim Hafizi Mohamad Shamsuddin, 28, shared similar sentiments, highlighting the school holidays as a lucrative period. He reported earning around RM600 a day during this time and expressed hopes that such brisk business could continue beyond the holiday season. He remarked on the affordability of goods in the town compared to other places.

Visitor Shazwani Mat Ali, 41, from Bukit Mertajam, Penang, mentioned that shopping in the duty-free zone has become an annual family routine whenever they return to their hometown in Dungun, Terengganu. She emphasized the cost-effectiveness of purchasing necessities like clothes, household items, and food in Rantau Panjang compared to other regions.