PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – Malaysia has been ranked the fifth most popular food destination in Asia, according to a survey by digital travel platform Agoda.
The survey revealed that 49 percent of tourists visit Malaysia primarily for its renowned culinary offerings. South Korea topped the list, with 64 per cent of visitors citing food as their main reason for travel, followed by Taiwan (62 per cent), Thailand (55 per cent), and Japan (52 per cent).
Fabian Teja, Agoda’s Malaysia Brunei director, emphasised that food is integral to the cultural experience of exploring a destination. “Some tourists are so enthusiastic that they book restaurants abroad even before purchasing their flight tickets,” he said. “Our survey highlights that tourists are increasingly looking to immerse themselves in local food and traditions, not just conventional sightseeing.”
The survey, conducted from August 1 to 19, gathered responses from over 4,000 participants across 10 countries, including Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Notably, the results also indicated that Malaysia is the top culinary destination for Singaporean tourists, while Malaysians frequently travel to Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan for their food experiences.
