KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The Citarasa programme is set to make Malaysia a major international food tourism destination, hence boosting the country's tourism sector.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said some of Malaysia's traditional dishes had been recognised internationally.
"Penang laksa, for example, was voted the seventh most delicious food (out of 50) in the world under the CNNGo International Food Survey in 2012," he said at the opening of the Citarasa Kuala Lumpur programme at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTic), here, today.
His speech text was read out by the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Ong Hong Peng.
"This shows that Malaysian food have become increasingly popular among the international community," said Nazri, adding that the Citarasa programme was seen as significant and would be extended nationwide in promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
He said the organising of this programme was timely as the ministry was trying to further promote Malaysia's food and beverage (F&B) sector to the world.
"In 2013, 12.5 per cent or RM8.18 billion from the tourism revenue came from the F&B sector.
"The programme also opens doors for small food industry operators, thus giving a positive impact on their economy," he added.
Nazri also noted the win by Ipoh-born and UK-based Catherine Chin Wan Ping in the UK MasterChef competition with her dishes of nasi lemak and wanton soup, which further popularised Malaysian food.
The Citarasa Kuala Lumpur programme from May 23 to 25 features 14 stalls at MaTic promoting dishes from the respective states like Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak (Pahang), Nasi Gulai and Pulut Mangga (Perlis), and Otak-Otak (Johor).
Besides Citarasa, the ministry will also extend the Citrawarna, Arts Festival and Museum Festival to the states in efforts to promote Malaysian culture and arts. — Bernama
