Hotel & Tours Group

Kuala Lumpur will host a 10-day fair that will showcase the country's culture and cuisine, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the fair, called the Malaysian Culture and Cuisine Extravaganza, would be part of the Colours of Malaysia tourism programme.

"The event is to promote the culture and traditional food from all over the country to the locals as well as foreign tourists, and to the young, some of whom may not know our food heritage," she said when launching the fair here today.

The fair, which would also involve handicraft exhibition and sale, is held in collaboration with the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and would involve 11 hotels.

Legend Hotel will promote the culture and cuisine from Perak, Pahang and Perlis while Grand Continental Hotel will promote Kelantan's food and culture, Dynasty Hotel (Melaka), Quality Hotel (Selangor), Park Royal Hotel (Negeri Sembilan), Citrus Hotel (Terengganu), Renaissance Hotel (Sabah) Grand Seasons Hotel (Johor), Seri Pacific Hotel (Kedah), Vistana Hotel (Penang) and Concord Hotel (Sarawak).

Azalina said the fair was also in conjunction with various international events such as the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix next week.

She said that based on a study by the ministry, the food component contributes RM8.338 billion or 18.1 per cent of the total tourist spending or the third largest spending after accommodation and shopping.