by AUFA MARDHIAH / Pic courtesy of Tourism Malaysia

TOURISM Malaysia has revised the target for the arrival of international visitors to 4.5 million with an expected RM11.1 billion expected tourism receipt this year.

“We have been actively promoting domestic tourism through various campaigns in an effort to encourage Malaysians to travel for the local hospitality sector,” Tourism Malaysia senior director strategic planning Syed Yahya Syed Othman (second from right) said during a press conference of World Top Gourmet Awards 2022 yesterday.

World Top Gourmet Awards 2022 honour and appreciate the hospitality and food and beverages (F&B) industry in their contributions to boosting Malaysia’s tourism by providing authentic, fusion and fine dining experiences in the region; making Malaysia a top holiday destination domestically and internationally.

In addition, Tourism Malaysia is also supporting World Gourmet on its mission to be a contributor to one of the six visionary pillars of “Boost Domestic Tourism” listed in the Tourism Malaysia Strategic Planning Programme 2022-2026 which aims to boost the tourism industry with new and innovative strategies.

“We will be repositioning Malaysia back on the map with a focus on reviving the country’s economy through domestic tourism and promoting the country as one of the top holiday destinations,” Syed Yahya added.

Meanwhile, Peggy Chong, president of World Gourmet and the organiser of the main event, expressed her honour on behalf of World Gourmet to host the fourth World Top Gourmet Awards 2022 after two years of hiatus due to Covid-19.

“This year’s participation has been overwhelming as industry players, including restaurants and chefs have come forward to showcase their high standard of excellence.

“We are aiming to present 80 awards to restaurants and chefs this October including a total of 60 titles for restaurants and 20 titles for chefs and individuals.

“The awards would be an impetus for the industry to stimulate growth and interest while promoting cross-learning, networking and economic opportunities amongst industry players,” she said in the same press conference.

“We look forward to contributing to the tourism industry by introducing Malaysia’s delicious local and world class cuisine to other parts of the world for them to come and visit Malaysia, bringing home with them the locally produced food and great dining experience to share,” she added.

The ceremony was also graced by the attendance of renowned celebrity chefs — chef Daniel Green who was awarded the International Celebrity Chef Award 2022 in the Eating-for-Health category, as well as celebrity MasterChef Jeffrey Tan from Australia who is also the founder of Cooking for Charity that was appointed as Chef of Honour 2022.

To date, the award is open to local and international chefs and has attracted more than 60 entries and is close to its target of 100 entries since nominations opened in April 2022. The closing date of nomination is on Sept 30, 2022, and the award night will be on Oct 27, 2022.

Established in 2017, World Gourmet acts as a platform to stimulate the economy by inciting growth of the F&B sectors; as well as a platform to connect business-to-business and business-to-customers.