A nine-day international food festival began at Dhaka Regency Hotel on Thursday to mark the formal opening of the newly launched hotel's restaurant.

The festival remains open from 7pm to midnight at the restaurant, Grandiose, on the 6th floor of the five-star hotel until July 13, officials said.

Industries Adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhury formally inaugurated the festival.

Located near Zia International Airport, Dhaka Regency is the venture of British Bangladesh Investment Group, a consortium of Bangladeshi British nationals.

Inaugurating the food festival, the adviser said Bangladesh needs to develop its hotels to attract more tourists.

She also hoped more investors will invest in tourism sector.

During the festival, the dinner costs a person Tk 650 excluding services charge and VAT, Arif Mutahar, managing director of Dhaka Regency, said.

Continental, Italian, Arabian, Thai-Chinese and Indian dishes are available during the festival. Besides, the food lovers can also taste fresh juice, salad and different dishes of Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Egypt, Spain and Morocco, he added.

The Daily Star, the Jugantor, Channel i and radio Today are the media partners of the festival.

Former chairman of Privatisation Commission Enam Ahmed Chowdhury also spoke at the function.