KUALA LUMPUR – It was a night of glitz and glamour when, once again, the country’s golden stars of tourism received the country’s most prestigious tourism awards. And the New Straits Times Life & Times Travel section assistant editor Zalina Mohd Som bagged the Tourism Ministry’s Creative Tourism Award in the Best Local Writer (English) category.

Her article titled “Hooked on high adventure” published last year scored top marks, beating more than 90 entries received for the category. In the winning article, Zalina told of her exciting second climb up Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.

It was one of 28 awards presented during the 17th Malaysia Tourism Awards 2010/11 at KL Convention Centre on Tuesday. The awards gave due recognition for the outstanding contributions of industry players in providing tourism products and services of both exceptional and innovative value.

Graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah, the event feted industry players and invited dignitaries to Oscar-like awards presentation ceremony and gala dinner.

Award winners received their trophies and certificates from Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Heading the list of award recipients were internationally acclaimed London-based Malaysian-born shoe designer Prof Datuk Jimmy Choo and Malaysia’s food ambassador Datuk Redzuawan Ismail or popularly known as Chef Wan. They both received the Tourism Minister’s Special Awards for promoting Malaysia abroad. Other awards range from Best Hotel Services to Innovative Homestay.