Thirty-three beauties from around the world will converge in
Sibu, Malaysian eastern state of Sarawak in December to compete in
the finals of the World Miss Tourism Pageant 2007, an official of
Sarawak in Sibu announced on Monday.
The participants would arrive in Malaysia from November 23 to
25, said Wong Soon Koh, Urban Development and Tourism Minister of
Sarawak state.
They would then leave for Kuching, capital city of Sarawak
state, and Miri, a city in Sarawak, to visit various tourism
destinations before coming back on Dec. 2 for the grand final on
Dec. 7.
This was the first time for Sibu, after Kuching and Miri, to
host a beauty contest of this magnitude, he said.
"This big and prestigious event will put Sibu on the world
tourist map due to the wide publicity it will generate. I hope the
town folk, especially the corporate figures and businessmen, will
support us in making a success of the event," the national news
agency Bernama quoted Wong as saying.
Wong, who is advisor to the event, said the pageant would help
raise funds for local charitable organizations and Chinese
education.
If successful, Sibu might host the Miss Chinese International
World pageant next year, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)