Local food variations are among the highlights of the promotion for the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020), said Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Musa Yusof.

He said as a country made up of multicultural and ethnic communities, Malaysia had the advantage of the variety of food that could be introduced to tourists.

"Looking at the advantages Malaysia has in terms of offering local food products, sales through gastronomy are among the things Tourism Malaysia will focus on for VMY2020 promotion," he told after completing a launch of Malaysian food promotion by 15 Langkawi hotel and restaurant operators at Aseania Resort Langkawi was here last night.

A total of 25 types of food are being promoted by hotel and restaurant operators on this tax-exempt island including peknga,kuih qasidah, kerabu bronok, nasi dagang, emping jagung dan ubi kayu, laksa Mahsuri udang, sotong sumbat, kuih karas, peneram dan nasi lemak.