FOOD CARNIVAL: Ng (third left) and president of Malaysia Selangor and FT Ku Su Shin Chong Hung Restaurant Association Lum Tuck Loy (third right) jointly launch the food carnival and cooking competition in conjunction with the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia 2011. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Travel agents and companies in the tourism industry have been urged to include Malaysian food when promoting their travel packages to prospective tourists due to its variety and uniqueness.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said by introducing tourism packages that include local food, tourists coming to Malaysia can be introduced to attractive locations and at the same time savour a variety of local cuisine.
“To promote local food to tourists, it needs the cooperation of all the authorities since the food industry is a very important and relevant product,” she told reporters after launching the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia 2011 here yesterday.
Yen Yen said Malaysian food was unique because it entails cuisine from a variety of culture and race.
“We may not consider our food as special but to tourists, the variety of food available here is a special attraction,” she said.
Yen Yen said last year tourists spent about RM9.7 billion on food and drinks which was approximately 17 percent of the money spent by tourists in the country.
The three-day Fabulous Food 1Malaysia 2011 promotion from Nov 18, will be held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here. — Bernama