Penang: The much-anticipated durian season, coinciding with the school holidays, has once again turned Penang into a bustling hub of activity. Thousands of visitors from all over the country, along with international tourists, have been flocking to the state since the school break began on Thursday, with the influx growing significantly over the weekend.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a survey revealed that roads leading to Balik Pulau, a renowned destination for durian enthusiasts in Penang, were heavily congested. Major tourist attractions such as Penang Hill, Padang Kota, and Batu Ferringhi were also teeming with visitors. Durian seller Ahmad Salim Suhaimi noted that the durian season began earlier this month and will continue until August, with Balik Pulau being a popular spot due to its premium-quality durians.
Ahmad highlighted that since Thursday, durian lovers have been arriving in droves, particularly from Saturday onward. The influx of visitors, especially from within Malaysia and from countries like Singapore, has led to traffic congestion from Balik Pulau to Teluk Bahang. Despite the early stage of the durian season and limited supply, he anticipates an increase in the coming weeks. Ahmad mentioned that he sells hundreds of premium durians daily.
Durian aficionado Siti Hasmuna Rohaimi shared that she and her family traveled from Negeri Sembilan to Penang over the long weekend to savor the king of fruits in Balik Pulau. She praised the distinct taste, softer texture, and richer flavor of Balik Pulau durians compared to those from other states. Siti emphasized the satisfaction of enjoying fresh durians directly from the source at affordable prices.
In addition, Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh reported that hotel bookings across Penang have been nearly fully booked since Friday, especially in Batu Ferringhi and George Town. Some hotels have even introduced durian feast packages at orchards or open-air settings on hotel grounds. The collaboration between hotels and orchard owners offers tourists durian experiences at competitive prices.
Beyond durians, tourists are also taking advantage of Penang’s other attractions, including nasi kandar, street food, beaches, and popular resorts. Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai mentioned that Penang, especially the resort area of Penang Hill, continues to draw substantial crowds from both domestic and international tourists, including those from Singapore. Visitor numbers at Penang Hill have doubled during the holidays, with queues forming as early as 6 a.m.
Traffic congestion extends beyond Balik Pulau, with the Penang Bridge and major roads around the island, particularly in George Town and Batu Ferringhi, experiencing jams. Tourist hotspots like Chew Jetty, Armenian Street, Penang Hill, and Padang Kota remain popular among visitors seeking to explore the vibrant offerings of Penang.