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.…

Efforts are being explored to encourage more reasonable pricing for retail products and food offerings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as authorities respond to increasing feedback from travellers who view airport purchases as costly. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the ministry is currently examining possible approaches to improve price competitiveness across airport outlets, including duty-free stores and restaurants, while maintaining the quality of services and products. He said many travellers, particularly domestic visitors and families travelling from outside major cities, have expressed concern about the affordability of meals and goods sold at the airport. Speaking after launching the ShopLAH by Malaysia Airports campaign…

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will mark Tourism Workers Day 2026 through a nationwide Water Music Festival scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 2, aimed at celebrating industry players while boosting visitor arrivals. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the festival, inspired by nature and rainforest themes, will combine live music performances, interactive art installations and a range of engaging activities at selected destinations across the country. He said the event aligns with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026 and Labour Day celebrations, while also serving as a platform to recognise the contributions of individuals working in the tourism sector.…

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will intensify enforcement against unlicensed tourism-related activities that are increasingly disrupting the country’s tourism ecosystem, its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said. He stressed that illegal operations including unregistered tour operators, non-compliant short-term accommodation providers and other rule-breaking practices not only harm legitimate industry players but also reduce government revenue. According to Tiong, concerns over unlicensed activities were among the most frequently raised issues during recent engagement sessions between the ministry and industry stakeholders. “Enforcement efforts must prioritise illegal and harmful practices rather than penalising licensed operators who have complied with regulations and borne significant compliance costs,” he said in a…

Malaysia is strengthening its role as one of South Africa’s leading tourism source markets in Southeast Asia, supported by steady travel demand, rising visitor numbers and a recovery in visitor spending. These developments were highlighted during a briefing by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, as part of her official visit to the region. According to projections, outbound travel from Malaysia is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.1 per cent between 2024 and 2030, driven by consistent demand from both leisure and business travellers. In 2025, arrivals from Malaysia to South Africa reached 7,773, representing a 17.3 per cent increase from the previous…