Malaysia's Cuisines Spur Tourism Sector

LABUAN (Sabah, Malaysia), May 9 (Bernama) -- Traditional food promotion can play a big role in attracting Malaysians and foreign tourists to visit Labuan island of east Malaysian state, Sabah. Labuan Museum senior assistant Azmi Dulang said the local tourism industry has flourished because of beautiful mountains, natural beauty and the varied and unique local cuisines. "Recent studies have shown that when other economies are suffering from the shocks of the weather, Malaysia is among the few countries which are able to achieve a magnificent growth in the number of tourist arrivals. "This shows that Malaysia's promotional strategies have been effective," he told Bernama during the Labuan Traditional Food promotion and exhibition, here Monday. Azmi said Labuan needs to promote its strengths and create its own identity aggressively by promoting and documenting its traditional cuisines to help boost its tourism sector. "Visitors will not learn about the food or places of this island, if the promotion efforts are inadequate. We have to do our part and hopefully it will be fruitful. "Hundreds of students from government schools and higher learning institutions and tourists have visited our exhibition. I hope they can learn about our cuisines," he added. The traditional food exhibition organised by Labuan Museum from May 3 to June 30, displays popular cuisines such as Kelupis, Ambuyat, Kuih Punjung, Jelurut, Kuih Cin Cin, Kuih Ardam, Kuih Lamban and Rempeyek. --BERNAMA