Johor Bahru: The school holidays that began on May 29 have not only brought excitement to students and families but have also significantly benefitted hawkers, homestay operators, and local communities near tourist destinations in Johor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a survey conducted at popular locations such as Johor Bahru City Square, Johor Zoo, and the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) City Forest revealed a notable increase in domestic tourists since the holidays began. This surge has resulted in higher income for street food vendors, souvenir sellers, and homestay operators.

Food vendor Halimah Abu Bakar, 48, reported a 50 percent increase in sales during the school holiday season, attributing the rise to the influx of customers from other states and Singapore. She mentioned that her stall, located around Hutan Bandar MBJB, sees 150 customers a day during the holiday period compared to 100 on regular weekdays. The extended hours of operation have proved worthwhile, with daily income nearly tripling.

Similarly, ice cream vendor Hasimi Md Isa, 41, described the school holiday season as a lucrative period, equating it to a ‘harvest season’. His sales have exceeded RM50 daily, up from RM30, thanks to the increased tourist numbers.

Tourists from Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Pahang also contribute to the economic boost, especially for homestay operators. Suraya Abd Majid, 38, noted that all her homestay units in Kempas were booked a week before the holidays, reflecting strong demand for affordable, family-friendly accommodations.

Further supporting this trend, the media reported on May 29 that Johor Unity, Heritage and Culture Exco, K. Raven Kumar, announced that 80 percent of hotel rooms in the state’s tourist hotspots were occupied in line with the school holidays.

The holidays are set to end on June 10, but local traders, hawkers, and homestay operators are hopeful that the positive economic momentum will persist as they look forward to the Visit Johor Year 2026 initiative.