Travelling to nowhere: the joy of staying at home / Nazima Versay Kudus

Escaping the Holiday Rush According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). a total of 64.8 million local tourists were recorded in the second quarter of 2024. reflecting a significant 23.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (Bernama, 2024). While this surge is undoubtedly positive for the economy, it also brings about a range of challenges and issues that require attention. One notable problem arises during long weekends, school holidays, or festive seasons such as balik kampung or vacation periods. These peak travel times often lead to holiday rush-induced highway congestion. For instance. Hilmy (2024) reported a striking example where what should have been a five-hour drive from Seremban to Alor Setar stretched to an agonising 15 hours during a long weekend holiday!