Jonker Street Airbnb Investment: Why Heritage Zone Properties Earn 30% More

Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat) - The Heart of Melaka Tourism

Looking for the best location for Airbnb investment in Melaka? The UNESCO Heritage Zone around Jonker Street consistently outperforms other areas by 20-30% in rental income.

Here's why, and how to invest profitably in this prime location.

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Why Jonker Street is Melaka's #1 Airbnb Location

The UNESCO World Heritage Advantage

In 2008, Melaka was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This put Jonker Street and the surrounding heritage zone on the global tourism map.

Impact on Airbnb:

• 16+ million tourists annually (pre-pandemic)
• 60% are domestic tourists from KL/Singapore
• Heritage zone = #1 destination for visitors
• Walkability = higher guest satisfaction

Weekend Getaway Magnet

Distance from Key Markets:

• Kuala Lumpur: 2 hours by car (perfect weekend escape)
• Singapore: 3-4 hours (popular holiday destination)
• Johor Bahru: 2.5 hours

Result: High weekend occupancy when city workers want to escape urban life.

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Real Performance Data: Jonker Street vs Other Areas

Based on our 100+ managed properties across Melaka:

Location	Avg. Daily Rate	Occupancy	Annual Revenue
**Jonker Street**	RM 180-250	65-75%	RM 12,000-15,000
Bandar Hilir	RM 150-200	55-65%	RM 8,000-11,000
Melaka Raya	RM 130-180	50-60%	RM 6,000-9,000
Ayer Keroh	RM 100-150	45-55%	RM 4,000-7,000
**Suburban Areas**	RM 80-120	40-50%	RM 3,000-6,000

Winner: Jonker Street earns 30-50% more than other areas.

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Top 5 Condos Near Jonker Street for Airbnb

1. The Shore Residence

• Distance: 5-minute walk to Jonker Street
• Price: RM 350K-600K
• Airbnb Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Pool view units command premium rates (RM 250+)

2. Silverscape Residence

• Distance: 8-minute walk
• Price: RM 250K-450K
• Airbnb Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Heritage view units highly desirable

3. Imperio Residence

• Distance: 10-minute walk
• Price: RM 300K-500K
• Airbnb Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Newer building = better facilities

4. Ong Kim Wee Residence

• Distance: 12-minute walk
• Price: RM 200K-350K
• Airbnb Potential: ⭐⭐⭐
• Affordable entry for first-time investors

5. Novo 8 Residence

• Distance: 15-minute walk
• Price: RM 280K-420K
• Airbnb Potential: ⭐⭐⭐
• Good value for budget-conscious investors

All 5 condos allow Airbnb (we verify this with building management).

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What Makes Jonker Street So Profitable?

1. Walkability Score: 95/100

Guests love staying where they can walk to everything:

• Jonker Walk Night Market (Fri-Sun)
• Red Square (Dutch Square)
• A Famosa Fortress
• St. Paul's Hill
• River cruise terminal
• 50+ restaurants & cafes

Result: 5-star reviews mentioning "perfect location" = higher search ranking.

2. Night Market Economy

Jonker Walk Night Market:

• Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• 500+ stalls
• Food, crafts, antiques
• Open 6 PM - 12 midnight

Impact on Bookings:

• Weekend occupancy: 80-90%
• Guests stay specifically for night market
• Return visitors (annual CNY, festivals)

3. Cultural Events Year-Round

Melaka's heritage zone hosts events that drive consistent demand:

Month	Event	Occupancy Impact
**January**	New Year	High
**February**	CNY	Very High (RM 300+ rates)
**March**	School Holidays	High
**April**	Melaka Heritage Race	Moderate
**May**	Wesak Day	Moderate
**June**	School Holidays	High
**July**	Melaka River Festival	High
**August**	Merdeka Eve	Very High
**September**	Malaysia Day	High
**October**	Deepavali	Moderate
**November**	School Holidays	High
**December**	Christmas/NY	Very High

Result: Consistent bookings throughout the year.

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Heritage Zone Restrictions (What You Need to Know)

Good News: Airbnb is Allowed

Despite being a UNESCO heritage site, short-term rentals are permitted for:

• Condos within the zone
• Strata-titled properties
• Properties with commercial access

Potential Challenges

1. Parking Restrictions

• Limited street parking
• Some condos charge guest parking fees
• Solution: Choose condos with free parking

1. Noise Regulations

• Quiet hours enforced (10 PM - 7 AM)
• No loud music/parties
• Solution: Clear house rules + guest screening

1. Renovation Rules

• External alterations restricted
• Interior renovations allowed
• Solution: Focus on interior design for appeal

We Handle Compliance

When we manage your property, we:

• Verify all heritage zone rules
• Obtain necessary permissions
• Monitor guest compliance
• Handle any issues with authorities

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Investment Scenarios: Jonker Street

Scenario 1: 2-Bedroom at The Shore

Purchase Price: RM 450,000 Furnishing Cost: RM 25,000 Total Investment: RM 475,000 Performance:

• Avg. Daily Rate: RM 220
• Occupancy: 70%
• Monthly Revenue: RM 13,200 (RM 220 × 20 nights)
• Annual Gross: RM 158,400

Expenses:

• Maintenance: RM 300/month
• Utilities: RM 250/month
• Internet: RM 100/month
• Management: RM 300/month (our flat fee)
• Total Monthly: RM 950

Net Annual Income: RM 146,400 - RM 11,400 = RM 135,000 ROI: 28.4% (excellent!)

Scenario 2: 1-Bedroom at Silverscape

Purchase Price: RM 320,000 Furnishing Cost: RM 15,000 Total Investment: RM 335,000 Performance:

• Avg. Daily Rate: RM 180
• Occupancy: 70%
• Monthly Revenue: RM 10,080
• Annual Gross: RM 120,960

Net Annual Income: RM 103,560 ROI: 30.9% (even better!) Conclusion: Smaller units near Jonker often have higher ROI.

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What Guests Love About Jonker Street Locations

Based on 5,000+ guest reviews across our properties:

Top 5 Mentions:

1. "Walking distance to everything" (90% of reviews)
2. "Night market just downstairs" (70%)
3. "Heritage architecture" (65%)
4. "Great food options" (80%)
5. "Safe area, felt secure" (85%)

Impact: These keywords boost search rankings and repeat bookings.

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How to Invest in Jonker Street Area

Option 1: Buy Condo We Already Manage

Advantages:

• We know Airbnb is allowed
• Track record of performance data
• Existing furnishing and setup
• Immediate income start

Condos Available:

• The Shore (2 units available)
• Silverscape (3 units available)
• Imperio (1 unit available)

Option 2: Buy New Property (We Advise)

Our Services:

• Verify Airbnb rules before you buy
• Calculate realistic ROI projections
• Recommend best units/views
• Handle renovation + furnishing

Option 3: Convert Existing Property

If you already own near Jonker Street:

• We assess Airbnb potential
• Renovation plan
• Furnishing budget
• Launch timeline

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Jonker Street vs Bandar Hilir: Which is Better?

Both are excellent, but serve different markets:

Factor	Jonker Street	Bandar Hilir
**Vibe**	Cultural, heritage, foodie	Modern, business, shopping
**Guest Type**	Tourists, families	Business travelers, shoppers
**Occupancy**	Higher (weekends)	Stable (weekdays)
**Rates**	RM 180-250	RM 150-200
**Investment**	Higher returns	Lower entry price
**Best For**	Maximum income	Balanced portfolio

Our Recommendation: Start with Jonker Street for maximum ROI, then diversify to Bandar Hilir.

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Future Outlook: Jonker Street Investment

Positive Trends:

1. MRT3 Circle Line (2027-2030)

• Will connect KL to Melaka faster
• Expected tourist increase: 20-30%
• Property values projected to rise 15-20%

1. Heritage Tourism Growth

• UNESCO status renewed every 4 years
• Malaysia promoting heritage tourism
• More international visitors expected

1. Airport Expansion (Batu Berendam)

• More direct flights from region
• Easier access for international tourists

Conclusion: Investing now captures growth upside.

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Ready to Invest in Jonker Street?

We manage 30+ properties within walking distance of Jonker Street, earning owners RM 10,000-15,000+ annually.

What We Offer:

• ✅ Property sourcing (Airbnb-friendly condos)
• ✅ ROI calculation with real data
• ✅ Renovation and furnishing
• ✅ Full management (RM 250-300/month flat fee)
• ✅ 5-platform listing (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.)
• ✅ responsive guest support

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Case Study: From Empty Unit to RM 12,000/Year

Owner: Ms. Lim, KL-based investor Property: 2-bedroom at The Shore Before: Empty condo, losing RM 500/month (maintenance) After: RM 12,000+ net annual income Timeline: 6 weeks from purchase to first booking Her Experience: "I was skeptical about investing in another state. iHousing made it easy - they found the unit, handled everything, and now I get passive income without doing anything. The location near Jonker Street is key - it's always booked."

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it hard to get approval for Airbnb in Jonker Street condos?

A: Not in the condos we manage. We verify this before you buy. Some buildings restrict it, but we know which ones allow STR.

Q: Will heritage zone rules affect my Airbnb?

A: Short-term rentals are allowed. The key restrictions are on external renovations (you can't change the facade) and noise (no parties). We handle compliance.

Q: How far is "walkable distance" to Jonker Street?

A: Within 15 minutes walk. The Shore and Silverscape are closest (5-10 minutes). All our Jonker-area condos are within walking distance.

Q: Are property prices higher in Jonker Street area?

A: Yes, 10-20% premium vs other areas. But ROI is also higher due to occupancy and rates. It pays for itself.

Q: What if I want to use the property myself?

A: No problem! Block dates you want to use. Many owners stay during weekdays (lower occupancy) and rent weekends.

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Start Your Jonker Street Investment Journey

Don't miss out on Melaka's most profitable Airbnb location. WhatsApp Us Now: +60 19-699 6688 Or explore:

• [Properties We Manage Near Jonker](/properties)
• [Melaka Investment Guide](/invest/how-to-buy-property-melaka-airbnb)
• [Full Management Services](/services/full-management)

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Last Updated: January 2025 | Data Source: iHousing Portfolio Performance (100+ Properties) Jonker Street remains Melaka's crown jewel for Airbnb investment. Walkability, UNESCO heritage status, and consistent tourist demand make it the top choice for serious investors.