Majestic Johor Festival 2022 managed to attract about 600,000 visitors.
WITH the National Day celebration coming up, many will be making travel plans.
Johor has many activities lined up during this period to entice travellers.
Tourism Johor director Suhairi Hashim said those headed to the southern state should make a stop at the Majestic Johor Festival taking place from Saturday until Sept 3.
He said the nine-day event at Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Puteri was aimed at promoting Johor as a tourism destination and it coincided with the National Day celebrations.
Suhairi says Majestic Johor Festival 2023 will coincide with National Day celebrations.“During the festival, there will be daily concerts, fireworks displays, hot air balloon rides, a children’s singing competition and a colouring contest.
“We held a similar event last year, featuring the Johor royal family’s ‘Kembara Mahkota Johor’ expedition, and it drew about 600,000 visitors.
“The state government decided to hold the festival again to boost the tourism sector, which is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he told StarMetro.
When asked about this year’s festival highlights, Suhairi said football fans would be thrilled to know that Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) would be featured as part of the football club’s 10th anniversary celebration.
“Visitors will have the opportunity to meet their favourite JDT players and see the many trophies won by the club.
“The trophies will be on display throughout the festival while the meet-and-greet sessions with JDT players are scheduled for Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1.”
Suhairi said that about 60 local celebrities would also make an appearance throughout the festival, which targeted to draw about 650,000 visitors.
“On Aug 30, there will be a countdown to Malaysia’s 66th National Day and there will be an attempt by a group of chefs to set a new Malaysia Book of Records feat by making the largest vegetarian cake.
“The public is welcome to watch the chefs prepare the 750kg cake, which will then be served to visitors,” he said.
This year’s Majestic Johor Festival will feature products, culture and crafts from the state’s 10 districts.
The festival will also showcase products, culture and crafts from the state’s 10 districts.
On other attractions around the state, Suhairi said Johor boasted a rich variety to appeal to every type of traveller.
“For the recreational traveller, we have Gunung Ledang and Taman Negara Endau-Rompin. For family fun, there is Legoland Malaysia Resort.
“Those who enjoy shopping will find great bargains at Johor Premium Outlets. We have something for everyone,” he added.
Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong Wie Kong said domestic travel boosted the local economy and benefitted various sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage as well as small businesses.
Leong says domestic travel will boost the local economy and benefit various sectors.“Domestic travel also has a role in promoting patriotism, as locals get to see just how beautiful and diverse the country is.”
He believes the weak ringgit might deter people from travelling overseas.
Thus, he said many were expected to opt instead for local destinations in the upcoming holidays.
Leong recommended visiting smaller towns in Johor such as Muar and Segamat, which were dotted with pre-war buildings and had quaint eateries serving local delicacies.
“There are the beautiful islands off Mersing’s coast, including Pulau Besar with its pristine beaches and facilities that cater to families or groups of various budget points.”
He said those who preferred more upscale destinations could opt for Desaru in Kota Tinggi.
As for the state capital, he said the Downtown Johor Baru guided walking tour – where visitors can learn about the city’s origins, historical figures and attractions – remained very popular.
“We have received bookings from tourists from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore as well as universities that want to show their guests around the city.
“The trail covers food spots, landmarks, buildings, places of worship and local businesses. It is a great way to get to know the city,” said Leong.
Here StarMetro offers some other suggestions for things to do and see throughout Johor.
Visitors to Tanjung Piai National Park can claim to have been to the southernmost point of mainland Asia. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Tanjung Piai National Park, Pontian
Tanjung Piai National Park holds the title of being the southernmost point of mainland Asia, the extreme opposite from Eurasia’s northernmost point, which is Cape Chelyuskin in Russia.
The national park in Tanjung Piai is home to various wildlife species such as mudskippers, crabs, storks and dusky leaf monkeys as well as over 20 mangrove tree species.
Visitors can spend the day learning about the importance of mangrove trees for the environment, or just enjoy being close to nature.
The national park is also one of the few places where Malaysia’s two neighbours – Singapore and Indonesia – can be seen simultaneously.
Spanning 325ha, Tanjung Piai is the smallest but most visited among Johor’s five national parks.
It should be noted that while the park is open to the public, parts of it are undergoing renovation.
Gunung Ledang’s waterfalls and park in Tangkak are a popular nature attraction.
Gunung Ledang, Tangkak
This 1,276m mountain is most associated with the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang, a princess whose beauty was said to be unmatched.
The popular trekking spot, located in the district of Tangkak, is only about 45 minutes from Melaka and two hours and 40 minutes from Johor Baru.
After being closed for about a year for refurbishment, the waterfalls and park area were reopened to the public on July 8.
Visitors can enjoy upgraded facilities such as food stalls and public toilets.
The Teluk Buih beach offers visitors views of fishing boats and fresh seafood.
Teluk Buih, Mersing
Located about 12km from Mersing, this beach in Air Papan offers visitors views of fishing boats and tempting fresh seafood, alongside resorts and chalets.
Those who want to soak up the sun and sea can choose from the many island-hopping packages available.
The most popular are Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Dayang and Pulau Aur.
Putuo Village, Kulai
Situated just 13km from Kulai is this scenic attraction which has been gaining popularity in recent years.
More than 15 years ago, the village started off with a simple Buddhist temple, which has now expanded into a vast bamboo forest, wishing tree and cafe.
Spend time strolling around the shady bamboo forest and explore the village which has various scenic spots and backdrops for visitors to snap photos.
There is also an old folk’s home on the village grounds.
Traditional Fu Zhou pastries such as kompia are commonly found in Yong Peng.
Fu Zhou biscuits, Yong Peng
The town of Yong Peng earned its moniker “little Fu Zhou” as the majority of its residents had ancestors who originated from China’s Fujian province and spoke the Fu Zhou dialect.
Visitors can expect to find a variety of Fu Zhou dishes served in Yong Peng, which is famous for the traditional handmade kompia, a round, filled pastry which is indented in the middle to resemble a belly button.
According to Wong Kar Seng, a third-generation kompia maker, the pastry’s indentation was to make it easy for soldiers to string together multiple pieces as their rations.
Other popular Fu Zhou biscuits from Yong Peng are “wife biscuits”, which were traditionally given as wedding gifts from the groom’s family to the bride’s.
Many traditional biscuit makers have opted to go meat-free to cater to diverse palates, including vegetarians.
An asam pedas vendor serving up a bowl of the fish dish at Parit Jawa food court in Muar.
Street food, Muar
There is a wide array of delicious street foods in the district of Muar.
Iconic Jalan Haji Abu, also known by locals as Glutton Street, is lined with eateries offering items such as wanton mee, otak-otak, fried oyster omelette and traditional handmade biscuits.
Heritage buildings from the pre-war era like those in Muar are an attraction.
It is a good opportunity to find out why people in Muar have satay for breakfast and seize the chance to sample other popular dishes such as the town’s signature beef soup.
To try the famous Muar asam pedas, head to Parit Jawa food court, about a 25-minute drive from Muar town.
