Online food trail receives huge response from people round the globe

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 30,800 people from 47 countries, including Malaysians, have provided feedback on the food trail for the best nasi lemak, laksa and bak kut teh in the country through an online portal started by the Tourism Ministry, says its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said the ministry would select the best outlets serving the three popular delicacies in December based on best food, value for money, hygiene and customer service.

Owners of selected food outlets would each receive a certificate of acknowledgement and a special logo for their outlets. Food lovers had earlier provided feedback through www.fabfood1malaysia.com, she added.

‘Foodies’ haven: Dr Ng launching the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Food Trail 2009 directory at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

“The food trail is to promote food as one of the main tourism products,” she told reporters after launching the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Food Trail 2009 directory here yesterday. Dr Ng said 120 outlets including hawker stalls were named in the directory offering the best for the three popular dishes that were being promoted. The next three delicacies to be promoted next year are satay, roti canai and chicken rice. Food lovers would be able to vote for their favourite outlets through the same website, she said.

The ministry, she added, hoped that the effort would help outlet owners to improve their standards to international level. Tourists spent about RM8.77bil on food and beverages in 2008, she said, adding that it grossed the third largest revenue in the tourism sector after accommodation and shopping. She said “foodies tourism” was popular in New Zealand and Australia and some of the tourists even asked if Malaysia would follow suit.

-thestar online.