Goodies galore: With everything from batik goods to toys, many visitors are heading to Pasar Payang during the school holiday season. — Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: As soon as the school holidays started, visitors began thronging Pasar Payang 1 and 2, which are iconic tourist spots in Terengganu.
A survey by Bernama found that both buildings, located side by side, started receiving visitors as early as 9am.
Most of the visitors were tourists from outside Terengganu who were taking the opportunity to spend their holidays in the state despite the ongoing northeast monsoon.
A clothing and batik trader, Izzatulakma Baharuddin, 21, said that during the school holidays, she starts business earlier, at around 8.30am, compared with the usual 9.30am.
She said this is to make it easier and provide more time for tourists to walk around and shop at her premises.
Izzatulakma said some of the popular products among tourists are sarongs, kaftan dresses and cotton viscose batik due to their lower prices compared with silk batik.
“Silk batik prices are currently very high, exceeding RM400, while cotton viscose batik is priced around RM100 to RM150, depending on the grade, quality and design.
“Given the current economic situation, many people are opting for more pocket-friendly products like cotton viscose batik and kaftan dresses, which can be purchased for as low as RM25 each,” she told Bernama.
Ros Safila Mohd, a vendor selling toys, accessories and figurines, said she sold 50 turtle figurines of various sizes in just three hours yesterday.
The 37-year-old vendor added that visitors also bought turtle keychains from her stall. They are sold for between RM5 and RM50, depending on the size and type.
“On public holidays, we definitely see a lot of customers. So, the business opens earlier, around 8am, and closes at 7pm,” she said.
A customer, Isma Hanisha Ahmad Shahir, 35, from Kajang, Selangor, said she had checked the weather forecast before deciding to holiday with her five family members in Terengganu.
She added that Terengganu is a must-visit destination for her family every year because they are attracted by its beautiful scenery and delicious food.
“Pasar Payang is a must-visit. Although there were only five of us, we travelled in two separate cars because everyone wanted to buy a lot of things, especially crackers, serunding and kaftans.
“Actually, we took a risk coming during the monsoon season.
“However, according to the forecast by the Meteorological Department, there is no expected flooding this week,” she said.
