KUCHING: The ongoing school holiday season has provided a welcome boost in income for traders operating at a popular riverside recreational area, as growing numbers of visitors flock to the location for picnics and outdoor activities.
Jumiyah, 64, who runs a food and beverage stall near Sungai Merah, said the increase in visitor numbers during the school holidays has created more business opportunities and significantly improved her earnings compared to ordinary days.
“The presence of many families and local tourists at the river has increased demand for food and beverages.
“A lot of people come to the river for leisure activities during the school holidays. Therefore, we take the opportunity to do business and increase our income during this period,” she told a reporter today (June 4).
According to Jumiyah, the atmosphere during the holiday season is noticeably different from regular days when visitor numbers are considerably lower.
“People do come, but mostly those from the surrounding area, including students from the Polytechnic,” she said.
She explained that due to the limited number of visitors on normal weekdays, her stall only operates on weekends and throughout school holiday periods.
“On regular days, fewer people come, so sales are lower. That is why I close the stall and only open on Saturdays, Sundays and during school holidays,” she said.
Jumiyah said she begins business early in the morning and continues until late afternoon to cater to visitors spending time by the river.
She added that customer response has been highly encouraging, with many of her products often selling out before the end of the day.
“I do business from morning until evening. Thankfully, my products usually sell out because many visitors purchase food and drinks while picnicking and enjoying recreational activities here,” she said.
The school holidays have also contributed to increased activity at several recreational spots, with families taking advantage of the break to spend quality time outdoors without travelling far from home.
Meanwhile, Jumiyah believes the Sungai Merah recreational area has strong potential to attract even more visitors if further improvements are made.
“This area has great potential to be further developed if given proper attention, attracting even more visitors in the future.
“I hope the facilities and cleanliness can be improved so that this place remains a popular choice among the public,” she added.
The riverside destination continues to draw families, youth groups and outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting its importance as a community recreation hub while providing valuable economic opportunities for small traders and local entrepreneurs.
