Langkawi ready to host pageant

LANGKAWI: Langkawi is prepared to host the final of the Miss Tourism International next year if given the opportunity, based on its success in hosting the semifinal rounds of the contest last year as well as this year.

“Based on the facilities that we have, we are prepared to host this event but I believe we still have to compete against other states who might be interested to host it as well,” said Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin.

Speaking to reporters after the Miss Tourism International 2017 Gala Dinner and Talent Show on Saturday, he said Langkawi would benefit from hosting the contest as its attractions and products could be exposed to a wider audience around the world.

Miss Tourism International franchise owner and president, Tan Sri Danny Ooi in his speech said Langkawi last hosted the final in 1995 and hoped the island would get the opportunity to host it again next year.

Meanwhile, Azizan said the introduction of a subsidiary title, Langkawi Tourism Ambassadress in the event this year would also help promotion of the island particularly to tourists from Europe and North and South America.

The title was won by Miss Tourism Brazil, Julia Do Vale Horta, who is a journalist and an event coordinator. He said Vale Horta would play a part in promoting the island not only in her home country but to other nations that she would be visiting.

Based on the number of followers that each of the contestants had on social media, he said the event had so far exposed Langkawi to over 600 million people from 50 countries.

“This is coming in line with our strategy to utilise more of the online media to promote tourism in Langkawi and bring in more people,” he added. – Bernama