Singaporeans are going across the Causeway to satisfy their penchant for durians: They are taking one-day durian tours to Malaysia, where most of the durians sold in Singapore come from, for a quick getaway and free flow of the pungent fruit.
Travel agents such as Maxpac Travel and Luxury Tours offer these tours to Johor every year during the durian peak season, which usually spans from June to August, and are reporting an increase in sales of up to 50 per cent.
At around $50 to $60 per person, the weekly tours on air-conditioned coaches typically include a visit to a durian plantation, where tourists can feast on all grades of the fruit, followed by shopping and a seafood dinner in Johor Baru.
Chan Brothers Travel, which launched its one-day durian and shopping tour this year, says the response has been encouraging, with over 100 bookings for its three August departures to date. Its spokesman says: 'Singaporeans, after all, are known for their penchant for epicurean pursuits.'
Maxpac Travel, which has been organising these tours since 2002, caters mainly to corporate groups such as companies and community centres. Its chief executive officer Serene Lim started the tours to cater to durian lovers like herself after getting requests from customers.
The response has been overwhelming, she says. While she declines to give figures, business has been going so well that the agency has decided to extend its tours this year by an extra week.
'One major draw could be the price. In Singapore, buying durians can cost a bomb for premium grade, but at the plantations, you can eat all the different types and as much as you want for one price.'
It is certainly an attractive price, considering that the top grades are selling for up to $18 a kg in Singapore.
Luxury Tours started its trips in 2000, but began promoting them aggressively only recently after seeing a surge in demand.
It now sees up to 300 people on each tour, 30 per cent of whom are repeat customers. This is an estimated 50 per cent more than when it first started the tours, says a spokesman.
Other major travel agencies including Dynasty Travel, ASA Holidays, Commonwealth Travel and SA Tours, however, do not offer these tours as they say their focus is on longer-haul destinations. But a spokesman for SA Tours says it will consider offering them if demand increases.
Several other agencies contacted say they conduct the tours only upon request and if at least 15 to 20 people sign up.
Life! went on a durian tour with Maxpac Travel recently to a plantation about two hours away from Johor Baru, near the town of Tangkak in Ledang district.
Plantation owner Gan Chee Hong and his daughters greeted the busload of weary travellers by speedily opening durians and thrusting slivers of the custard-like fruit into eager hands.
For the next 20 minutes or so, the only sounds to be heard were the splitting of husks and buzzing of flies that covered any fruit left alone for a few seconds.
Some return to buy fruit home
Still, the flies did not deter civil servant Cleve Mui, 25, from eating 20 seeds of the fruit. 'The durians here taste fresher than the ones in Singapore and it's free flow, so just whack,' he says.
After the feast, the group was given a tour of the 0.4ha plantation, where Mr Gan proudly showed off his durian, banana and pomelo trees.
Ms Carmen Gan, 30, who helps her father run the plantation, says that they have hosted some 20 tour buses from Singapore last month alone, up 40 per cent from last year.
While providing a free flow of the over 10 kinds of durians and other local fruits can be costly, she says many visitors return with friends and buy durians to take home.
'Some even bring their own containers to pack the fruit to save space, so they can buy more,' she says.
Course director Joanna Portilla, 37, has been organising yearly durian tours through the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre for three years, and caters to up to two full buses of people at a time.
'It's popular among families, couples and friends and $55 is a small amount to pay for a day's outing.
'People love eating durians. They get to buy them and take back to Singapore fresh from the plantation too, so no one complains that the bus stinks,' she says.
For most, the lure of a fuss-free, one-day getaway is what entices them.
Housewife Melody Yap, 44, says: 'There's nothing really exciting to do over the weekend and the nearest place to go is Malaysia. It's great value for money too, with unlimited durians and a seafood dinner.'
IT engineer Lau Kok Song, 50, adds: 'Sometimes you just want to get away from the city and with the rising cost of living, it may be too expensive to spend the night somewhere.
'I think a day like this is just nice, plus free flow of durians - who can say no to that?'
'Singaporeans are able to spend a little more and they love to shop and eat - marketing a tour to Johor as a durian and shopping tour sells much better than an educational one' Mr Jit Singh, a Johor Baru resident and tour guide
5 things to do
1 Do remember to change some money to ringgit beforehand. The tour buses stop at a few local produce shops along the way and not all accept Singapore dollars.
2 Do wear jeans or long pants and proper shoes to avoid being hassled by mosquitoes and flies.
3 Do take along a bottle of water for the long bus ride and the durian buffet.
4 Do take your own containers to store the fruit if you plan to buy durians to bring home; it will save space and reduce the smell on the bus. The plantation owners will open the fruits for you.
5 Do use the toilet stops. You won't find any restroom at the durian plantations.
2 don'ts
1 Don't wear shorts or slippers unless you plan to apply plenty of insect repellent.
2 Don't pay the local produce shops in Singapore dollars. They will give you your change in ringgit, at their own exchange rates.
MORE DURIAN TOURS
It is not too late to book your tours before the durian season ends this month.
Both Chan Brothers Travel and Luxury Tours have a one-day Durian & Shopping Tour to Johor Baru on an air-conditioned coach which includes a visit to a durian plantation to sample unlimited portions of durians and other seasonal fruits, shopping at Aeon Tebrau City mall in Johor Baru and a seafood dinner.
Both companies charge $53 for an adult and $47 for a child.
Chan Brothers Travel's departure dates are this Saturday and on Aug 23, while Luxury Tours' are this Saturday, and Aug 23 and 30.
Call Chan Brothers on 6533-6119 and Luxury Tours on 6733-2808 for details.
Maxpac Travel has a one-day Durian Delight tour to Johor Baru on an air-conditioned coach on Aug 23. The price of $60 per person includes a visit to a durian plantation to sample unlimited portions of durians, a batik workshop, shopping at Aeon Tebrau City mall and a seafood dinner. Call 6784-8568 for details.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on August 12, 2008.
