Cili Kampung Malaysia (“Cili Kampung”) has acquired a 50% equity stake in Dotty’s Pastries & Coffee Sdn Bhd (“Dotty’s”), marking a significant consolidation move within Malaysia’s food and beverage (“F&B”) sector as both brands position for national expansion. The strategic partnership, which values the Dotty’s entity at RM23.9 million, brings together two homegrown brands with complementary strengths, uniting authentic Malay culinary heritage with premium artisanal bakery craftsmanship. The strategic acquisition coincides with Dotty’s milestone 10th anniversary, signalling a new phase of growth for the brand as it transitions from a restaurant favourite into a scalable, nationally recognised Halal-certified artisanal dining concept. Under the partnership, Cili Kampung has subscribed to 11,956,234…

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), through its Los Angeles Office, successfully wrapped up a high-impact presence at the Phoenix Travel & Adventure Show 2026, held February 14-15 at the Phoenix Convention Center, capturing strong interest from thousands of Arizona travellers eager to discover Taiwan as their next long-haul destination. Taiwan Tourism Administration operated one of the largest booths at the show, strategically located near the entrance of the exhibition hall, ensuring high visibility and consistent foot traffic throughout the two-day event. A Booth That Stopped Traffic Designed to be both playful and instantly recognizable, the Taiwan booth featured a giant bubble teacup installation, with Taiwan Tourism’s beloved ambassador OhBear appearing…

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.…