PETALING JAYA: Those bitten by the travel bug following the relaxation of movement restrictions are driving up luggage sales.

       Manager Vivian Lee, whose shop in IOI Putrajaya Mall is bustling again, said the reopening of borders has had a good effect on business.

       Sales have been increasing, she said, adding that demand started picking from October to November last year.

       “I would say we had an increase of between 50% and 80% in sales. We are expecting even more customers when China and Japan reopen their borders,” she said.

       Lee also said her shop was packed just before Hari Raya with many folks buying for their balik kampung trip.

       A supervisor at another travel goods outlet who only wanted to be known as Esther, also said there was an 80% increase in customers.

       Besides luggage, customers were also buying winter clothing, she said.

       “Obviously the fastest selling products are those on discount,” she added.

       Another branded luggage, backpack and satchel supplier said online sales were consistent even during the movement control order.

       Its sales representative Notizan Yazid said demand for good quality products was still there.

       “Our online business did well, and yes, sales increased,” she said.

       In GEORGE TOWN, Leng Wooi Meng who runs three luggage shops here, said sales increased quickly.

       “Many are looking for high-quality and average-priced luggage bags,” he said when met at his shop in Campbell Street.

       Leng added that prices had increased significantly due to the weakening ringgit.

       “Last time, lower-quality luggage bags would cost only RM80, but now the price has increased to around RM110, while the higher quality ones could cost as much as RM1,200 compared with just RM890 previously.

       “I also have a huge group of customers who bring in their old luggage bags for repair.

       “Many of them want to use their old ones for their next trip in the next few months,” he said, adding that his repair fees ranged from RM40 to RM2,000.

       Tour agents have also started receiving bookings from customers looking to travel abroad.

       Freelance tour guide Shahrizal Bakar, 38, said he has started taking bookings for next year with Turkey and Australia being the hot favourites.

       The Kangar-based tour agent said people were now willing to fork out money for holidays after two years of the pandemic.

       Another tour agent, Elias Nordin, 60, said one of the reasons Malaysians choose Europe as their holiday destination was because countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand have strict Covid-19 rules for foreign tourists.