With a rich tapestry of history that stretches back centuries, Melaka, or Malacca, is undoubtedly one popular destination for tourists. It has a unique character brought on by the many people who have walked on its soil throughout the ages, which include the Portuguese and Dutch whose remnants survive in ancient buildings and cultural influences. Melaka is also the home of the Baba Nyonya culture, which is famous for its wealth of cuisine.
To make exploring this state an even more tempting idea is the newly launched Melaka eXcess app, which is the sole official government tourism application equipped with a digital e-wallet system! Developed in partnership with the local Melaka government, this secure app not only offers a hassle-free experience with cashless transaction via smartphones, but also a number of deals and rewards.
Available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the app supports the ‘Dream Now, Travel Later’ (DNTL) campaign in an effort to reinvigorate the local tourism industry in the time of COVID-19. It also encourages cashless and touch-free transactions between merchants and tourists, taking Melaka tourism a step into the digital age. The app covers a wide variety of tourism touch points, such as dozens of attractions, shopping, hotels, food, healthcare and tours.
There are also plenty of features including nearby authentic food & beverage places as well as best shopping spots to be discovered inside the app, equipped with easy navigation. The data stored inside the app is also safe and secure with information encryption.
Those who download and sign up for Melaka eXcess will also receive a welcome bonus of 10 credits, worth RM10, which will be deposited in their e-wallet account.
Users may can purchase exclusive deals for several main attractions in the state, including Melaka River Cruise, Melaka Crocodile & Recreational Park, Cendol Kampung Hulu, Upside Down House Melaka, Kampung Pinang Sebatang Beach Resort and Zoo Melaka. Some of the tickets purchased via Melaka eXcess have a lengthy validity period, expiring only after 31 December 2023.
The following are some DNTL packages that are currently offered on the app.
Melaka River Cruise Package Cunnn:
Buy 2 Tickets Get 20 % Off + 20% Credit Back
Take in the view of vibrant street art on the heritage buildings, little bars and cafes plus colourful bridges as the streets along the Melaka riverbank are illuminated with strings of coloured lights. Go on a cruise during the evening as you may catch both breathtaking day and night views without the daytime heat being a problem.
While you are on the cruise for 45 minutes, you get to appreciate exclusive glimpses of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as you listen to the history of the city through pre-recorded Malay and English commentaries. You may catch the sunset, observe lizards at the riverbank or simply glimpse the beautifully decorated Malay village of Kampung Morten that still preserves its rustic charm.
Before buying this voucher, you may first need to purchase credit (CR) by topping up your e-wallet account balance as there are four available selections – 189 CR (RM180), 105 CR (RM100), 50 CR (RM50) and 30 CR (RM30). Payment method could be done using credit card, online banking, Boost Wallet or VCash and you may choose your preferred currency; Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Hong Kong Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht and US Dollar.
For example, in order to buy this Melaka River Cruise Package Cunnn that requires 80 CR, you need to top up your account with 105 CR (RM100). Upon purchasing two admission tickets with a 20% discount, you will also automatically get back 20 CR. Then, all you need to do is to present your e-ticket or e-voucher QR code at the counter.
WHERE Melaka River Cruise, Taman Rempah Jetty, Jalan Tun Mutahir, Melaka
WHEN 9am-11.30pm
TEL 010 906 6288
Melaka Crocodile & Recreational Park:
Buy 2 Tickets Get 10% Off + 10% Credit Back
This place is great for families with small kids as it is basically almost like a mini zoo with a water playground. With the crocodile show as the main highlight, the younger ones can also enjoy feeding the rabbits and fish, besides touching tame snakes and deer. You may even be able to touch a baby crocodile as well!
Officially opened in 1987, the Melaka Crocodile & Recreational Park now has more than 100 crocodiles comprising four different species, and is one of the earliest crocodile tourist attractions in Malaysia.
If you buy this voucher, you will get two admission tickets at discounted price of 10% with 10 credit back, but the validity of tickets is only six months from the date of purchase.
WHERE Taman Buaya & Rekreasi Melaka, Pusat Pelancongan Ayer Keroh, Melaka
WHEN 9am-6pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-7pm (weekend/public holiday/school holiday)
TEL 06 232 2350
Melaka River Cruise + Cendol Kampung Hulu:
Buy 3 Tickets Melaka River Cruise At 5% Off + Free Cendol Voucher (RM12)
Cendol Kampung Hulu makes a great place to relax and take in the scenic beauty of the Melaka River while filling up on anything from from traditional Malay food to Western cuisine. However, cendol (a Malaysian dessert consisting of shaved ice, creamy coconut milk and brown sugar) is a specialty of the house and a must-try.
You may opt for different flavours such as sweet corn, mango and durian with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Cendol Kampung Hulu’s version of the dessert is a little bit different as it has milky fine ice shavings like bingsu, a Korean dessert.
This package allows you to save with a 5% discount for the purchase of three Melaka River Cruise admission tickets with free Cendol Kampung Hulu vouchers for two regular cendol worth RM12.
WHERE Cendol Kampung Hulu, No. 26, Jalan Kampung Hulu, Kampung Hulu, Melaka
WHEN 11am-11.30pm (Sun-Thur). 11am-12.30am (Fri), 11am-12am (Sat)
Melaka River Cruise + Upside Down House Melaka:
Buy 3 Ticket Melaka River Cruise at 5% Off + Get 1 Upside Down House Ticket at 5% Off + Free 2 Tickets Upside Down House Admission
As you can tell from the name, it is a house where everything is topsy-turvy, bot not ina bad way! It is a house gallery where everything is literally upside down, making this spot one of the hottest Instagrammable places in Melaka.
This is something you must see, so grab this package for free Upside Down House Melaka admission tickets for two persons worth RM36, valid for six months from the date of purchase.
WHERE Upside Down House Gallery Melaka, G12, G14 & G16, Jalan PM 7, Plaza Mahkota, Banda Hilir, Melaka
WHEN 10am-7pm (Mon-Thur), 10am-9pm (Fri-Sun/public holiday/school holiday)
TEL 011 1072 2260
Kampung Pinang Sebatang Beach Resort + Warong Pak Ma’on:
Stay 3D2N Deluxe Room (including breakfast) at Kampung Pinang Sebatang Beach Resort + Get 1 Free Warong Pak Ma’on F&B Voucher (RM130)
If you want a traditional ambience with a premium touch of boutique, this chalet in Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah is the one for you. It is named in memory of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Malaysia’s legendary film star. The name of the village name in one of his movies, Pendekar Bujang Lapok was Kampong Pinang Sebatang.
the chalet makes unwinding an easy task with modern facilities such as the Jacuzzi with sea view and inviting traditional village vibes. Warong Pak Ma’on is the in-house cafe of Kampung Pinang Sebatang Beach Resort, and the validity of the voucher is six months from the date of purchase.
WHERE Kampung Pinang Sebatang, Lot 1681, Batu 22 ½, Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Kampung Hailam, Melaka
TEL 06 384 6788 / 019 358 6778
EMAIL kampongpinangsebatang@gmail.com