2024 - Urban tourism: the revenge of the cities

The world tourism fair, until this evening in Paris porte de Versailles, shows that certain metropolises are becoming real destinations. Illustration featuring Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The World Tourism Fair, the major annual meeting of the sector, is being held until this evening in Paris, Porte de Versailles. One of the major trends this year is that major cities, like Kuala Lumpur, are no longer just stopovers on a long-haul journey. Like the capital of Malaysia, they have become real destinations, for tourists seduced by the attractions of the city, as evidenced by these French people met there.

We are in the heart of Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. At the bend of the large covered market, Julien Collot invites us to push open doors, at random, in the street, opening onto a maze of stairs and corridors.

Julien Collot in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown: "There's this side of old streets, old neighborhoods that are now changing and becoming quite hipster neighborhoods." (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO) — Julien Collot in the Chinatown district of Kuala Lumpur: “There is this side of the old streets, the old districts which are now changing and which are becoming quite hipster districts.” (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

Guided by the muffled sound of distant music, we end up accessing hidden bars, “speakeasy”inspired by the era of prohibition in the United States, one of the curiosities of the capital of Malaysia: “They all have their theme: toy stores, or in a small shopping center. There are others that are related to Chinese culture in relation to life, death, deaths, ghosts, there is everything!

The Frenchman has lived in Kuala Lumpur for five years. Guide for a local agency (Asian Trails Travel), he has seen the city change since his arrival:

Petaling Street, one of the main thoroughfares in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, "Chinatown", with its lively, lively and colorful night market (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO) — Petaling Street, one of the main arteries of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, “Chinatown”, with its lively, bustling and colorful night market (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

“We have the image of Kuala Lumpur with the Petronas Towers, which are the twin towers which are also a bit of an icon of the city today. But there is more than the modern side, there is this side of old streets, old neighborhoods that are now changing, and which are becoming quite hipster neighborhoods, where there are many showrooms, cafes, restaurants that can be found in old historic buildings, which today are used for other things.”

A colorful and bustling district, Chinatown revolves around Petaling Street, known for its fashion boutiques and large indoor market that sells fresh produce, clothing and accessories. Nearby, local artists sell their paintings and creations at the Central Market, which also has noodle and curry stalls. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO) — A colorful and bustling district, Chinatown revolves around Petaling Street, known for its fashion boutiques and large indoor market that sells fresh produce, clothing and accessories. Nearby, local artists sell their paintings and creations at Central Market, which also has noodle and curry stalls. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

Like the Rex KL, the oldest cinema in Kuala Lumpur, built just after the Second World War, and whose roof now houses a tapas bar from which the view embraces the whole city.

A street in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown district, one of the most historic and colorful areas of the city. It is home to not only Chinese but also Indians and Malays. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO) — A street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown district, one of the city’s most historic and colorful areas. It is home not only to Chinese but also to Indians and Malays. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

A booming capital

Because what tourists are looking for today, beyond the destination itself, is above all an experience, confirms Catherine Subileau, director of Travel workshops in Paris (Kuoni group):

“When we want to discover a destination, we arrive in Kuala Lumpur, we are not going to just stop and leave directly. It deserves to spend at least three days there before continuing an itinerary, either towards the mountains or towards Borneo .”

Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence". The city is indeed located at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO) — Kuala Lumpur means “muddy confluence”. The city is indeed located at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers. (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

And if Kuala Lumpur attracts tourists, expatriates also welcome the current dynamism of the metropolis, which has become a booming capital. Recently arrived from Shanghai, the French Caroline Pujo appreciates the proximity of nature and a particularly pleasant climate:

In the streets of Kuala Lumpur: "The average temperature is 32 degrees, so at home I hardly ever turn on the air conditioning." (Caroline Pujo) — In the streets of Kuala Lumpur: “The temperature is on average 32 degrees, so at home, I hardly ever turn on the air conditioning.” (Caroline Pujo)

“Paradoxically, we are close to the equator, but we are not overwhelmed with heat at all, coming from Shanghai where the summers are really extremely scorching. The temperature is on average 32 degrees, so at home, I don’t I hardly ever turn on the air conditioning. By ventilating well, sometimes with a little blow of fan, that’s enough and I sleep without air conditioning. We live in summer clothes almost all the time.

View of the steep walkway that connects the two Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur (EMMANUEL LANGLOIS / FRANCEINFO)

All these advantages have earned Kuala Lumpur the distinction, in 2021, of “best city in the world for foreign workers” through the InterNations expatriate network.