Malaysia’s cuisine heritage, drawn from the cultural diversity of its people, has potential to attract Muslim tourists from around the world looking for halal and unique food experiences.

Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan, Director General of Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), is passionate about the heritage value of Malaysian food and believes that Malaysian food can be a special touristic draw especially for Muslim tourists from around the world.

Focusing on the melting pot of the Southeast Asian nation’s demography, he opined: “Malaysia has a diverse population, and each state, each race, each ethnic group has its own unique cultural heritage when it comes to cooking. The food heritage of Sabah and Kedah, for example, are vastly different from each other.” 

“Similarly, the types of meals served at dinner tables in Sarawak are not the same as the ones served in Selangor. It’s not just about unique ingredients, but also the unique cooking techniques employed in the preparation,” he further added.

He believed that Malaysian cuisine had great potential to be a tourist draw and encouraged tourism industry players to work together to make Malaysia an attractive destination for Muslims.

“I see the opportunities where travel agents, tourist guides, hotels, and restaurants can collaborate to create packages that are catered to the niche Muslim tourist market.”

“They can work with Islamic Tourism Centre and the Department of National Heritage (Jabatan Warisan Negara/JWN), both departments and agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. Interestingly, JWN has also worked on an initiative to preserve our national heritage by compiling a list of cuisine which are ‘endangered’ or nearing extinction.” 

“Tour operators can work with ITC’s Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) hotels where facilities such as Halal restaurants are available, besides having chefs and culinary experts that can prepare special Malaysian dishes.”

Malaysia’s cuisine heritage, drawn from the cultural diversity of its people, has potential to attract Muslim tourists from around the world looking for halal and unique food experiences.

Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan, Director General of Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), is passionate about the heritage value of Malaysian food and believes that Malaysian food can be a special touristic draw especially for Muslim tourists from around the world.

Focusing on the melting pot of the Southeast Asian nation’s demography, he opined: “Malaysia has a diverse population, and each state, each race, each ethnic group has its own unique cultural heritage when it comes to cooking. The food heritage of Sabah and Kedah, for example, are vastly different from each other.” 

“Similarly, the types of meals served at dinner tables in Sarawak are not the same as the ones served in Selangor. It’s not just about unique ingredients, but also the unique cooking techniques employed in the preparation,” he further added.

He believed that Malaysian cuisine had great potential to be a tourist draw and encouraged tourism industry players to work together to make Malaysia an attractive destination for Muslims.

“I see the opportunities where travel agents, tourist guides, hotels, and restaurants can collaborate to create packages that are catered to the niche Muslim tourist market.”

“They can work with Islamic Tourism Centre and the Department of National Heritage (Jabatan Warisan Negara/JWN), both departments and agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. Interestingly, JWN has also worked on an initiative to preserve our national heritage by compiling a list of cuisine which are ‘endangered’ or nearing extinction.” 

“Tour operators can work with ITC’s Muslim-friendly Accommodation Recognition (MFAR) hotels where facilities such as Halal restaurants are available, besides having chefs and culinary experts that can prepare special Malaysian dishes.”