MELAKA (Bernama): Ticket sales at the Melaka Zoo have exceeded RM800,000 with 10,000 visitors recorded in 16 days since the state’s iconic tourism spot resumed operations on Oct 1.

       Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) head Datuk Shadan Othman said the total number of visitors to the zoo has breached the 1,000 daily mark with the highest recorded at 3,500 on Saturday (Oct 16).

       "We have seen a daily increase in visitors to the Melaka Zoo from Oct 1 until yesterday and most of them are from outstation such as from Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

       "We foresee more people coming, notably on weekends because the Night Safari has been opened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday," he said after a cleaning operation with MPHTJ at Ayer Keroh here Sunday (Oct 17).

       He said the Melaka Zoo management was complying strictly with standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the National Recovery Plan where entry is only allwoed for 800 visitors at a time, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

       Meanwhile, Shadan said a new tourism product called "Lepak Station" with a night market concept like Jonker Walk will be opened at the Ayer Keroh Heritage Square here at the end of the year.

       He said the night market, with a limit of 500 visitors at a time, will see 100 vendors selling food, clothing and handicraft.

       "This project is part of the Special Tourism Zones (RKK) in Ayer Keroh as new night attractions and tourism sites apart from those in Melaka town.

       "Overall, we have 30 projects under RKK, of which 70% have been launched. As for the remainder, we need to apply for state funding," he said. - Bernama