Malaysia - CNY travels getting popular

WITH the westernisation of eastern cultures in a borderless world, the younger generation of the Chinese community are breaking away from the ‘open house’ tradition during the Lunar New Year.

Many among them are bucking the trend these days, opting to travel with their families during the community’s most important celebration. This was unheard of some years back as Chinese families, dictated by generations-old traditions, would make it ‘compulsory’ to eat the Reunion Dinner together.

“Family members would travel many miles home for the festive celebration but such a tradition is gradually dying out among the younger generation who prefer travelling outstation to take a break from work and spend quality time with their families.

“Businessmen will generally find this festive season the best time to unwind after a year of hard work. For many of them, this is the time to travel with their families to experience the festive mood in another place,” said Robert Tan, managing director of Equitorial Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd.

He added that Kuala Lumpur, a popular tourist shopping hub, is a preferred destination for those going away during the Chinese New Year.

“KL is cheaper than any of the states, and moreover, there are limited seats to Sibu and KK with only two daily flights. There is also a likelihood of one ending up paying more.

“On the other hand, when one travels to KL, besides shopping, one can get to taste a variety of mouth-watering foods.”

More commercialised

The Lunar New Year, Tan noted, was becoming more commercialised these days.

“Lured by cheap airfares during the festive celebration, people would want to take the opportunity to travel.”

According to the longtime travel agent, one can easily get airfares between RM200 and RM300 during this time.

However, he pointed out, during the peak period such as five days before CNY, the airfare would be at an all-time high.

“The fare for KL-Sibu (one way) would cost about RM500 and the load is extremely high between Jan 19 and 21. The fare is as high as RM700 one way during the peak period. Besides, there is no guarantee of getting a seat,” said Tan, who has 39 years experience as travel agent.

He reckoned many younger families these days were not too keen to go visiting during CNY, saying they wanted to experience shopping and the way of life in a big city like KL instead.

Metropolitan Travel Service Sdn Bhd Michael Wong Ngee Khih, echoing Tan’s view, said with Chinese New Year’s Eve this year being a Sunday, the working class may want to take the extra day — coupled with the festive holidays – to travel.

“They may also take leave, and together with the festive holidays, will have a long break — say about nine days. And it’s enough for them to bring their families to places such as Thailand or perhaps, even China. The festive celebration in China is very different from ours,” he said, adding that they could get cheap air tickets if they booked early.

Wong disclosed they had a tour group visiting Beijing this CNY while another would travel to Shanghai.

He noted, however, that most locals preferred going to KL and Singapore as they had children living in these places.

Cutting expenses

With the economic uncertainty, many would want to cut down on their CNY expenses and travelling seemed a viable option, he added.

From his personal experience, it’s common to fork out a few thousand ringgit  for new year clothings, food, ang pow and such like.

He pointed out that the amount spent could be much lower if one went travelling, provided air tickets were booked early.

He dispelled the notion that going way during the festive celebration meant doing

away with the family Reunion Dinner.

“These days, many students are studying overseas and will work in foreign countries after graduation.

“So you see, parents will travel to be with their children and hold the reunion dinner with them abroad. In fact, I have friends whose children, after graduating in Singapore, chose to work there.

“And they would invite their parents over to spend CNY with them,” he said, adding that the tradition is gradually fading away.

Wong’s observation: “Gone are days where you would see an exodus of people to the town during CNY. There are just as many people who go travelling these days.”

Meanwhile, a retailer Angy Ng admitted he loved travelling to other places during CNY.

“This is because it’s the only time I can bring my family for a holiday after a year of hard work. When you do business, you can’t take a break as and when you like.”

Ng was captivated by the breath-taking views of Thailand when he visited the country some years ago, saying it was a great ‘getaway’ destination for CNY.

He figured younger families would usually travel during CNY because they could experience something new during their journey.

“Besides, kids these days do not enjoy visiting during CNY but prefer locking themselves inside the room, playing online or computer games,” he said.

Peter Boon

The Sunday Post

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