KUALA LUMPUR: The extended weekend’s flurry of activities in the city centre led to brisk business for hotels, eateries and retailers, with the spillover effect evident during the usually off-peak period, say stakeholders.
Bukit Bintang-KLCC Tourism Association chairman Ng Yih Chen said the mammoth crowd provided a huge boost to the tourism sector.
“We usually see such crowds only during peak seasons, which begin in November, right up to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. The current month is a relatively low period, so the increased footfall was a welcome boost,” he said.
Ng said the benefits spilt over to many businesses, with F&B operators benefitting the most.
He proposed that the Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026, held over three days last week in Bukit Bintang, be rotated to other spots in the city.
The event, which ended on Saturday, featured live music, food, cultural performances and arts, coinciding with the Labour Day holiday.
The festival ran simultaneously across locations in Negri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh said hotels reported higher occupancy rates in the capital, mainly in the Bukit Bintang area.
From a tourism perspective, she said younger regional tourists also contributed to the uptick in bookings.
“The long weekend was the main focus, with many advanced bookings recorded.
“KL still has much to offer. We have a very capable public transport system, with e-hailing also making it more accessible for tourists to move around,” she added.
Malaysia Shopping Malls Association president Phang Sau Lian said the festival was a fresh and energetic idea that added to Malaysia’s tourism appeal.
“We welcome unique experiential tourism events that help keep our country vibrant,” she said.
Phang suggested considering locations outside the central business district or in states with large venues to cater for bigger crowds for similar events.
“With proper planning, closer coordination among stakeholders and alignment to an international calendar of events, these initiatives can further strengthen Malaysia’s ability to attract more tourists.
“It should include shopping tourism to support the overall tourism ecosystem,” she added.
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Mint Leong said the festival was not just about music but also an important step for event-driven tourism.
With figures showing about 180,000 visits over the three days, she said this created a vibrant atmosphere and significantly contributed to economic activity.
“It also showed Malaysia’s capability in hosting large-scale international music events. More importantly, the festival recorded 1.4 billion clicks across global social media platforms,” she said.
“If this can be effectively transformed into tangible outcomes in the short term, its impact on Malaysia’s national branding, international visibility and future tourist conversion potential should not be underestimated.”
