IT’S time for the government to seriously promote the flea market as a tourism product.
Promoting flea markets will be a boon for both the vendors, who comprise mostly those seeking extra income and retirees who grapple to meet the rising cost of living, and the potential tourists — locals and visitors alike.
Recently, Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Book of Records endorsed Amcorp Mall as country’s “Largest Indoor Flea Market” with the launch of the first-ever flea market guide booklet.
The comprehensive 64-page guidebook, which encompassed all the flea markets or “pasar karat” in the country, is a step in the right direction.
The flea markets in Malaysia is enjoying a boom as “everything old is now new again”.
This is obvious as flea market enthusiasts and ardent collectors start turning trash into treasure by selling their wares at sites designated by the city and local councils or at selected malls on weekends. The endorsement by Tourism Malaysia shows that there is future in flea marketing as a business model, as well as a must-go and must-see attraction for visitors, like in touristy cities of New York, London, Paris.
Just take a look at our neighbouring Thailand’s famed Chatuchak weekend market.
Its sheer number of vendors and visitors speaks volumes of the success stories of bringing in tourist dollars.
The same is true with Korea which has been shifting its gear from promoting scenic sights to the wonderment of flea markets.
The various types of wares displayed are enough to warrant a visit to its major flea markets in the popular neighbourhood.
Tourism Malaysia can with the help of inbound tour and travel agencies promote flea market tourism by introducing travel packages involving shopping at weekend flea markets, visiting collectors’ galleries, eat and drink at themed collectors’ cafes and eateries as well as sleep for the night at boutique hotels and layovers.
Apart from the flea markets which offer something for everyone at bargain prices, another new craze is the car-boot sales.
The cost of living and prevailing economic slowdown have made some Malaysians resort to this new-found business at their leisure on weekends.
The best the government can do to help the urban poor involved in car-boot sales is to promote their activities in the form of flea market tourism.
We need new approaches in selling our country’s attractions and tourism products. By promoting the flea markets, apart from showcasing our culture and history to visitors, we can also share with our children our “life in the past lane”.
AZHARI MAHMOOD
Petaling Jaya, Selangor