Honouring Excellence in Culinary and Tourism at the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards 2025

The prestigious fourth edition of the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of 45 distinguished personalities and brands from Malaysia, recognising their outstanding contributions to the culinary and tourism industries.

Organised by the renowned culinary and tourism platform, ASEAN Food & Travel Media, in collaboration with ‘Top 10 of Asia’ and ‘NiagaTimes’, this annual awards ceremony honours the key players in the Southeast Asian food and travel sectors. These individuals and organisations have demonstrated unwavering dedication and excellence in managing their businesses, significantly shaping the industry landscape.

The highly anticipated event, attended by esteemed figures from the tourism industry, was officiated by YBhg Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. His presence underscored the importance of recognising and supporting industry leaders who drive the region’s culinary and tourism growth.

Dato’ R. Rajendran, CEO of Top 10 of Asia, congratulated all the recipients and expressed his best wishes for their future endeavours. “Tonight’s prestigious event is a meaningful one, and we hope it will inspire more entrepreneurs in the food and travel sectors to strive for greater excellence.”

Meanwhile, Lee Seng Chee, Managing Editor of RHA Media, publisher of ASEAN Food & Travel Media, highlighted the immense potential within the ASEAN food and travel industries. He emphasised that while Malaysia continues to attract international visitors, the domestic tourism sector presents vast opportunities. Citing insights from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, he noted that 2025 will see a surge in demand for local gastronomy, nature-based experiences, wellness retreats, and rural tourism. With Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, the nation is poised to thrive as a top travel destination.

Established to honour excellence across the food, travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in ASEAN, the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards reflect the platform’s commitment to promoting the finest offerings of the region. This initiative not only celebrates industry leaders but also enhances ASEAN’s global presence in the food and travel sectors.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, this year’s awards specifically recognised outstanding Malaysian personalities, SMEs, and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields. The winners were meticulously evaluated by a distinguished panel of media experts, researchers, and food and travel critics, ensuring impartiality and adherence to strict judging criteria.

Among the notable award recipients were Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Bombay Palace KL, Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur, UTM Hotel & Residence, Belum Rainforest, Angah Masterchef Celebrity, KSL Esplanade Hotel, Auntie Aini, Sushi Hiro, Kopi Street, Mengrai Thai, Kampung Kitchen Ibis KLCC, Canton Boy, Fire Pitz, and Amerano Food.

The ASEAN Food & Travel Awards 2025 once again reaffirmed its role in celebrating excellence and inspiring innovation within the region’s vibrant food and tourism industries.