SHANGHAI, 25 May 2024 – The Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Manoharan Periasamy launched the Malaysia Food and Culture Festival in Shanghai today which runs concurrently from 25 to 26 May 2024 at Pudong Shanghai Qiantan Taikoo Li, Wood Zone L1 and from 24 to 31 May 2024 at Shangri-La Qiantan Shanghai.
This festival is co-hosted by the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (Shanghai Office) together with the Malaysian Consulate General (Tourism Section) under the theme “Malay Heritage” which aims to immerse visitors in Malaysia’s rich history, culture and modern life.
The festival organised at Pudong Shanghai Qiantan Taikoo Li is expected to draw a big crowd over the weekend, especially with various cultural activities, food sampling, and travel packages on offer throughout the festival. The promotion will also showcase special traditional dances and performances of the different ethnic groups in Malaysia, specially choreographed by Istana Budaya (Palace of Culture).
The second promotion taking place at Shangri-La Qiantan Shanghai, on the other hand, showcases the speciality of Malaysia's unique and multi-faceted culinary delights to entice more Chinese travellers into choosing Malaysia as their preferred destination. Highlighting the culinary aspect, Tourism Malaysia together with Shangri La Qiantan, Shanghai will promote a spread of Malaysian cuisine buffet from 24 to 31 May 2024, featuring chefs from Shangri La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“Malaysia’s gastronomy is known to be a one-of-a-kind experience through its explosion of flavours and the cultural history that comes with every dish. Showcasing our local cuisine is one of the best ways to showcase our identity, at the same time luring potential tourists www.tourism.gov.my FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 58/2024 /2022 to visit Malaysia for the ultimate experience perfected with the local touch,” said Mr. Manoharan Periasamy.
Malaysia Airlines also lends its support towards the organising and promotion of this festival. Mr. Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) said, “Malaysia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia are now the strategic partners in the international market. We look forward to participating in the Malaysia Food and Cultural Festival in China as the official airline partner and we are honoured to play our part in promoting tourism and strengthening our nations' connections. In conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of friendship between nations, we offer special fares for our guests from China to Kuala Lumpur and other attractive destinations in Malaysia.”
The promotion is part of Tourism Malaysia’s participation in the travel tradeshow ITB China in Shanghai and in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. The two countries enjoy a strong bilateral relationship and presently, China and Malaysia have established close political, economic and socio-cultural relations.
Through its overseas offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Tourism Malaysia continues to intensify promotions alongside travel agents and airlines. With the resumption and announcement of new international routes from Malaysia-based and China-based airlines, there are currently 368 flights per week between China and Malaysia.
This year, Malaysia targets 16.1 million international tourist arrivals. China remains among the top countries contributing tourist arrivals to Malaysia. In 2023, Malaysia welcomed a total of 1,474,114 China tourists with RM8,827.75 billion in tourism receipts. Malaysia is currently targeting to receive 27.3 million international tourist arrivals with RM102.7 billion in tourism receipts, with 5 million arrivals targeted to be from the China market.