Singaporeans cross border in droves for Malaysian durian tours, all-you-can-eat buffets

From durian tours to all-you-can-eat buffets, Singaporeans have been flocking to Malaysia to feast on the king of fruits during its peak se...

From durian tours to all-you-can-eat buffets, Singaporeans have been flocking to Malaysia to feast on the king of fruits during its peak season.

In Johor state, durian sellers say business has surged since the start of the season earlier this month, especially on weekends, with many customers coming from across the border.

John Chew, 60, who runs a stall near a local mall, told The Star that Singaporeans now make up about half of his customer base, adding that they prefer the Musang King variety.

Another seller, Mohamad Amirudin Tono, 22, also saw strong sales, fueled by both local and Singaporean visitors.

He added that lower prices this season have drawn in more customers.

A durian is seen on an electronic weighing scale at a shop in Kuala Lumpur on July 8, 2020. Photo by AFP

A supplier known only as Tok said demand has soared so much that he sometimes has to buy from other sources to keep up.

"I also have customers from Singapore arriving in tour buses to my orchard," he said.

Similarly, early last month when the season started in Penang, which is famous for its durians, an influx of visitors, including from the city-state, crowded hotels and caused traffic jams in the state.

"More visitors, especially from within the country and from abroad — particularly Singapore — have come here to buy and eat durians," durian seller Ahmad Salim Suhaimi, 45, told national news agency Bernama at the time.

Datuk Tony Goh, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter), said this year the state offers 36 curated packages that combine accommodation with all-you-can-eat durian feasts, either on hotel grounds or at nearby orchards.

He noted that similar packages were well received last year, especially by visitors from China and Singapore, as quoted by the Malay Mail.

Post-election tradition

The recent wave of visitors from Singapore is a familiar post-poll tradition that often follows the city-state’s general election, which was held two months ago, according to tourism operators.

Jimmy Leong, chairman of the Johor Tourist Guides Association, said: "It is usual for Singaporeans to go on durian tours every year, but the number of groups goes up by about 30% after an election in the island republic."

He explained that these outings are a popular way for Singaporean Members of Parliament (MPs) to thank constituents and party members for their support at the polls.

This month, at least seven MPs have hosted trips for Singaporeans to enjoy durians in Malaysia, where the fruit’s prices are expected to fall as the harvest season peaks, the South China Morning Post reported.

Last Saturday, MP Ng Chee Meng took residents on a full-day culinary outing to Johor Bahru, Johor’s capital city.

The itinerary included several shopping stops and, as the main highlight, an all-you-can-eat Musang King durian buffet, according to AsiaOne. The tour cost S$110 (US$86) per person.

Other MPs are planning overnight trips in the coming weeks. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, for example, is organizing a two-day tour to Malacca in southwestern Malaysia from July 26 to 27.

These MP-led tours have seen high demand and many were quickly sold out.

For durian lovers like Wendy Chua, a 42-year-old from Singapore who was seen enjoying the fruit at a stall in Johor, the appeal of Malaysian durians lies in their wide variety. The country has around 200 durian varieties.

"There are some durian varieties available in Johor that are hard to find in Singapore, which makes the experience worthwhile," she said, adding that rising prices in recent years have not stopped her or others from making the journey.

"We would come for the variety and the overall experience."