redBus serves up food map to whet travel appetites across Malaysia

Malaysia's bus ticketing platform redBus has unveiled its "Malaysia food map", a digital tool designed to showcase the nation’s rich culinary heritage and guide travellers to must-try local dishes.

The platform features 40 iconic Malaysian foods spanning Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, and indigenous influences, mapped across more than 160 crowd-sourced eateries nationwide.

Accessible via the redBus app and a microsite, linked to Google Maps, the food map aims to connect travellers with everything from famed street stalls to hidden gems in smaller towns.

With food tourism booming, travel-related spending on food and beverages jumped 52% in Malaysia last year, according to the platform. With that, redBus aims to move beyond ticket bookings to become a cultural connector, enriching travel with authentic food experiences.

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The food map supports Malaysia’s upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and offers users curated listings, real-time mapping of trending spots, and exclusive redBus discounts on bus tickets to featured food destinations.

Additionally, the platform invites users to contribute recommendations through social media activations, with contributors’ names displayed on the map as a way to share local food insights.

The food map currently operates in English and will add Bahasa Malaysia later this quarter. redBus also encourages travellers to visit four featured cities each month through special promotions, aiming to boost food-focused travel.

“With the launch of the 'Malaysia food map', redBus is elevating experiences for its customers from practical offerings to playing a deeper and more meaningful role in their travel discovery and planning," said Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus. 

He added, "Food is a reflection of a people’s culture and the launch of the redBus 'Malaysia food map' is our tribute to the rich history of the country, and the passion which Malaysians bring to discovering and exploring food trends."

"Our goal has always been to simplify and enhance travel experiences. We’re excited to connect people with the incredible flavours Malaysia has to offer, in a fun and accessible way," Sangam said. 

redBus isn’t the only platform pushing initiatives tied to Visit Malaysia. In June, global travel platform Agoda announced a two-year strategic partnership with Tourism Malaysia to raise the country’s profile ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.

Agoda will roll out a series of digital campaigns across its platforms, promoting Malaysia’s diverse attractions, from cultural heritage and cuisine to lush rainforests and modern cityscapes. These efforts support Tourism Malaysia’s goal of attracting 45 million foreign visitors by year-end.

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