Melaka (Malacca) is a small state to the south of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It’s well known for historical sites, and a very popular tourist attraction for the longest time before. Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, tourism industry throughout the world has been affected, and for a small town such as Melaka, many businesses that depend on tourist spending money here, have been quite affected. One of the most densely packed business area is around the entire Jonker Walk in the old town of Melaka. (https://goo.gl/maps/im8oLG4AySvXq3kt6 ). Many businesses had to close down, some permanently over the last many months. However, the good news is more locals are now visiting the place from other states and local businesses are slowly warming up, even as we get vaccines headed this way.
Over the last weekend, I had the chance to visit Melaka, and had taken time alone, in quite many hours, photographed close to 200 local businesses along Jonker walk, re-opening businesses, updating photographs of store fronts for accessibility and more. It was quite humbling to know that we as Local Guides can help put local businesses back to Google Maps with the latest information so visitors can know stores are now opened, and hopefully help the small local businesses all around.
[Picture above] A few of the many store fronts that was captured.
[Picture below] A small part of the walking path. Edit approvals have been extremely supportive. Thank you Google.
I would like to encourage all Local Guides (if not already), as our local economies start warming up, let’s do our part to help keep Maps updated, for ourselves, our local communities, visitor, and especially for local businesses.
Ending this post with a short video of my couple of hours of walk. And yes, it was super hot, then, it started to shower, and all fun! Check out how quiet the place was when I was walking.
Some previous post of Jonker Walk, compare the previous crowds to the video above. Still a long way to recovery.
Chinese New Year Celebration Jonker Walk 2020
Jonker Walk and the new normal
*All photos and videos self captured, end of December 2020