Colourful flip-flops, Langkawi's bestseller
Published on: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
KUAH (Langkawi): Has anyone wondered what do tourists buy most in the the resort Island of Langkawi? Is it the cheap duty free cigarettes, spirits or the chocolates? You are in for a surprise, the hot selling item is the colourful rubber flip-flops that appear ubiquitos at the shops throughout Langkawi's tourists frequented areas. The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) made this downright suprising find in a study commissioned to check on the items sought after by tourists to the resort island.
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They come in attractive flourescent colours and motifs printed on them, some are printed with the island's name. The brightly coloured flip-flops displayed on the shelves or racks inside and outside the shops add colour to the surrounding and are certainly an attraction. They are tempting to look at and to buy as well, though they don't come cheap as they cost between RM15-RM30 per pair. The simple open-toed rubber sandal not only keeps the visitors feet happy but also serves as the covetable souvenir of Langkawi. LADA's Tourism Division Senior Assistant Manager Putra Helmi Elias said to Bernama here recently the study carried out by a team from Universiti Sains Malaysia for the three quarters of 2014 found more than 100,000 pairs of the flip-flops were snapped up mostly by the visitors. Due to the high demand it is not surprising to see the flip-flops on sale in many of the shops especially at tourist frequented locations. The shops dedicated for flip-flops sell them, souvenir shops sell them, textile shops sell them and even the supermarkets sell them.
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A shop assistant at a flip-flop dedicated outlet in Pantai Cenang who goes by the name Lina acknowledged that the flip-flops were a favourite of the visitors but locals bought them too. Asked on how many flip-flops her outlet sells per day, she replied; " I am not sure because we work in shifts, but during my shift in the night we can sell between 20-30 pairs".
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Lina also said that the flip flops were comfortable to wear and to walk on the white sandy beaches that Langkawi is known for. Moreover, as the island is surrounded by sea it could really get hot during the day and flips-flops could help soothe the walking feet. Another shop assistant at Beras Bakar, in Padang Matsirat, where visitors come to see the traces of the paddy burnt to pre-empt an attack by the Siamese invaders in the early days, was asked on the the flip-flops and she eagerly replied they were hot items there too. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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