Honouring Excellence in Culinary and Tourism at the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards 2026

The fifth edition of the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards marked a significant milestone in celebrating excellence across the food, hospitality, and tourism sectors, recognising the remarkable achievements of 70 distinguished personalities and brands from Malaysia. The awards come at a pivotal time as the nation gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading culinary and travel destination in the region.

Organised by the renowned culinary and tourism platform ASEAN Food & Travel Media, in collaboration with ‘Top 10 of Asia’ and ‘NiagaTimes’, the annual awards honour key industry players who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment in shaping Southeast Asia’s food and travel landscape. Their contributions reflect the resilience and forward momentum of the industry as it prepares to welcome increased regional and international tourism.

The prestigious ceremony, held in Kuala Lumpur, was attended by prominent figures from the tourism and hospitality industries. This event was officiated by Wizani Rosmin, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia representing Tuan Mohd Rizal Abdul Rahim, the Director General. His presence underscored the strategic importance of recognising industry leaders who play a vital role in driving tourism growth in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 agenda.

Congratulating the award recipients, Dato’ R. Rajendran, CEO of Top 10 of Asia, described the event as both meaningful and timely. He expressed hope that the recognition would inspire more entrepreneurs in the food and travel sectors to elevate standards of excellence and innovation as Malaysia enters a new era of tourism growth.

Meanwhile, Lee Seng Chee, Managing Editor of RHA Media and publisher of ASEAN Food & Travel Media, highlighted the immense potential within the ASEAN food and travel industries, particularly in domestic tourism. Citing insights from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, he noted that 2026 is expected to see rising demand for local gastronomy, nature-based experiences, wellness tourism, and rural travel. With its rich cultural heritage, diverse cuisine, natural beauty, and renowned hospitality, Malaysia is well-positioned to capitalise on these trends and thrive as a top global destination.

Established to honour excellence across the food, travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors, the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards reflect a strong commitment to promoting ASEAN’s finest offerings on the global stage. Beyond celebration, the initiative serves as a platform to enhance credibility, visibility, and international recognition for industry leaders supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 vision.

This year’s awards specifically recognised outstanding Malaysian personalities, SMEs, and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields. All recipients were evaluated by a distinguished panel comprising media professionals, researchers, and food and travel critics, ensuring transparency, credibility, and adherence to strict judging standards.

Notable award recipients included Resorts World Awana, Batik Air, Sunway Senior Living, KPJ Sentosa KL Specialist Hospital, Oriental Group, Yahala F&B, Chabashira Tea Roastery, Chef Ammar Food Empire, Malaysian Petroleum Club, NUH Travel & Tours, Nims Adeliciouz, Lepau, Marina Seafood, J&Kel The Salon, Positano Risto, Puan Sri Nisa Bakri, Carousel & Co, Ms. Sheila Rusly, Dr. Ezani Monoto, RareTV, AllStar Sports, and SIFEX 2026, among others.

The ASEAN Food & Travel Awards 2026 once again reaffirmed its role as a key platform in celebrating excellence, strengthening industry credibility, and inspiring innovation across ASEAN’s vibrant food and tourism ecosystem, in strong alignment with the national Visit Malaysia 2026 agenda.