Reviving tourism in Sekinchan

The Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order (MCO) has dealt a blow to many businesses including those relying on tourism.

With travel restrictions, many touristy places become ghost towns such as tourism spots in Sekinchan, which is the state’s rice bowl and also known as a seafood hub.

Adapting to change was what many businesses that rely on tourism in Sekinchan adhere to in order to survive.

Many look to selling online or offering cashless and contactless payment options.



Selling online

PLS Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Allen Lim

One example is the Sekinchan Paddy Gallery, popular among tourists as not only can they buy local and imported rice there, there is a gallery tour for them to know more about the rice industry.

During weekends, busloads of tourists would throng the rice mill. But with the travel restrictions during the MCO, PLS Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Allen Lim had no choice but to look for other avenues.

It was then he started selling rice via e-commerce marketplaces and the response was positive.

He is also now able to resume construction of the outdoor paddy walkway.

“We were halfway constructing the thatched roof, which provides shade as visitors are taken through the process of rice planting, but had to stop during the MCO

“Regardless of which season they visit, visitors will be able to see the different steps of paddy cultivation and even try it out themselves,” he said.

He added, “There is a Chinese saying, the heavier the paddy rice, the lower it bows. It symbolises humbleness and humility. And that is the message I hope visitors will grasp after visiting.”

PLS Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Allen Lim taking Sekinchan assemblyman and Ng Suee Lim on a tour at the outdoor paddy walkway

Visitors can experience planting rice at the venue (photo courtesy of YB Ng's office)

Increase in sales

For Chia Lin, whose family sells fresh and frozen seafood, the MCO impacted their whole and distribution part of the business.

“We distribute seafood to restaurants but because of the MCO, there were no dine-in or banquets, hence the drop in wholesale orders,” he said.

However, the MCO also brought about new opportunities.

In fact, sales increased during the MCO.

They have started selling online and offering e-wallet and delivery options in recent years but many customers only began taking advantage of these options during the MCO.

“We now have many new customers, who buy via online platforms or get to know us through word of mouth and our livestreams,” he said.

New opportunities

There were also those who started a new business amidst the pandemic such as Sekinchan Coconut Sdn Bhd owner Pua Hock Seng who just began operating his nine acre coconut farm in August.

Pua Hock Seng's coconut farm

However, he has been selling coconut water online and distributes to eateries and shops throughout the MCO.

He has garnered many returning customers and bulk orders since.

“The coconuts here are mainly for its juice, not the flesh. We don’t add additives, preservatives and sugar.

“It takes 20 days to yield and we are able to harvest about 5,000 to 6,000 fruits per harvest. “Visitors can pick their own coconut. It is quite an experience, especially for families,” he said.

He also plans to set up resting spots and photo zones like gazebos or hammocks.

Sekinchan Coconut Sdn Bhd owner Pua Hock Seng has been selling coconut water online and distributes to eateries and shops (photo courtesy of YB Ng's office)

Domestic travel

The recovery movement control order (RMCO) brought about relaxed guidelines and people are allowed to travel domestically.

It was a long weekend, thanks to a public holiday, and many thronged the local attractions in Sekinchan.

Sekinchan assemblyman and Ng Suee Lim said, “People have been cooped out at home for three months.

“We have never experienced this before and we learned to cherish the freedom.”

“Now with the RMCO, it is as though they have regained freedom.

“With the restrictions, people can only travel locally.

“There are many local attractions here; Sekinchan is also known for its rice and fruits.”

Sekinchan assemblyman and Ng Suee Lim during a visit to Pua's farm (photo courtesy of YB Ng's office)

Sekinchan assemblyman and Ng Suee Lim enjoying a refreshing bottle of coconut water at Pua's farm (photo courtesy of YB Ng's office)

He said the pandemic has forced many to change their usual ways of doing business and many looked to selling via online platforms.

“Seafood restaurants that had to close during the MCO, opted to sell seafood online instead

“There is also a rise in the use of e-wallets. It is a trend. People prefer the cashless and contactless option,” he said.

Ng, who is also Sekinchan Tourism Development Association chairman, said they are looking to collaborate with Tourism Selangor and Tourism Malaysia to promote tourism in Sekinchan.

He has been actively promoting Sekinchan via his social media page as well.

He added that there are also plans to diversify tourism products such as offering a private kitchen service where the chef uses local produce.”


Revival in tourism

Sekinchan Tourism Development Association secretary Laurenzius Gan said they are slowly seeing a revival in tourism.

“During the RMCO, domestic tourism is seeing an increase.

“Furthermore, agrotourism is growing and we have lots to offer in Sekinchan.

“There are many outdoor activities here and we have several tourism products in the making such as a sunset dinner experience in the middle of a paddy field.

“Businesses that sell souvenirs will take a longer time to recover as foreign tourists are the ones buying compared to locals,” he said.

Tapping into the trend of social media, they plan to offer photo opportunities by using local attractions such as haystacks.

The association is collaborating with the local government and Chinese business associations to revive tourism in Sekinchan.

Gan himself experienced the effects of the pandemic and MCO.

He started his BnB and restaurant business just before the MCO and had to close for business to cut losses because of the lockdown.

He now hopes to resume operations around year end.