By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Durian is among the local products in Malaysia which could be elevated into world-class tourism attractions by combining education, culture, gastronomy, art, and interactive experiences.
In a Facebook post, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, who attended the opening ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Durian Experience Centre (KLDEX) and launched the Malaysia Durian Festival 2026, emphasised that the durian is part of Malaysia’s identity, culture, and heritage.
He praised the organisers of KLDEX, as the event allowed visitors to enjoy a wide variety of durians and learn about the history, culture, and development of Malaysia’s durian industry in one unique destination.
“Initiatives like this not only enrich Malaysia’s tourism offerings but also create more opportunities for growers, local entrepreneurs, the creative industry, and local communities,” he said.
On the aspirations of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, said the country needs more authentic and distinctive tourism products that reflect Malaysia’s identity.
“Gastronomy tourism has tremendous potential to attract more international visitors, and durian is undoubtedly one of our nation’s greatest strengths.
“Through more aggressive and integrated efforts, we can not only attract more tourists to Malaysia but also further expand the global market for Malaysian durians,” he said.
At the same time, Tiong also reminded durian growers and producers to continue prioritising food safety and the quality of their produce to ensure their durians are safe, of high quality, and trusted by consumers around the world. — DayakDaily
