Thailand’s Suphatra Kliangprom crowned Miss Tourism International 2022/2023
KUCHING: The Miss Tourism International (MTI) World Final 2022/2023 crown went to Thailand’s Suphatra Kliangprom, who beat nine other contestants from the final selection on Friday night.
Some 40 contestants vied for the crown but only 10 countries were selected to the final, comprising Suphatra, Australia’s Gabriella Oxley, Malaysia’s Phoebe Ong, Singapore’s Crystal Huang, United States’ Alysa Cook, New Zealand’s Abigail Curd, Burundi’s Ndahiro Megane, Venezuela’s Laura Zabaleta, Philippines’ Maria Angelica Pantaliano and Russia’s Raskina Sofia.
Four other titles were also given, namely the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year 2022/2023 International won by Laura (Venezuela); Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2022/2023 won by Maria (Philippines); Miss Tourism Global 2022/2023 won by Crystal (Singapore) and Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan International 2022/2023 won by Alysa (United States).
There were two special awards presented – the Dreamgirl of the Year International won by Abigail (New Zealand) and Miss Southeast Asia Tourism Ambassadress which was won by Malaysia’s Phoebe.
Nine subsidiary titles were also up for grabs – the Best in National Costume won by Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Nga; Best in Talent won by Uganda’s Sydney Navulya Kavuma; Miss Photogenic won by Maria; Miss Charm won by Milana Mosharova from Kazakhstan; Best in Cat’s Portrait won by Raskina; Best in Social Media won by Suphatra; Miss Nuzezo Glamour won by Crystal; Miss Friendship won by Yuka Oyama (Japan) and Miss Popularity won by Park Sea (South Korea).
The international pageant themed ‘Bringing the World to Sarawak’ also showcased world-class performances by entertainers while delegates also took to the catwalk in their respective traditional costumes.
After waiting for 28 years, Sarawak was finally given the opportunity to host the Silver Jubilee of Miss Tourism International.
The panel of judges comprised Argenis Angulo (Argentina), Dr Dewi Motik Promono M. Si (Indonesia), Carina Jia (China), Emily Hong Nhung (Vietnam), Datin Sri Jacqueline Ngu (Malaysia), Datuk Dr Lau Pang Heng (Malaysia) and Bjarne Wong (Malaysia).
The 25th Miss Tourism International World Final journey running` from Nov 1127 in Kuching was an avenue for the beauty queens to promote Sarawak to the rest of the world.
Present at the finale were
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; the ministry’s deputy ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Snowdan’s wife Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang; Miri mayor Adam Yii; and Miss Tourism International franchise holder and president Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi.
Yast Group was the main organiser of Miss Tourism International World Final while the franchise holder is D’Touch International Sdn Bhd.
The pageant is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, local authorities and other sponsors.
The finale was aired live on social media and Youtube.
KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg praised the commitment and efforts that made the 25th Miss Tourism International (MTI) World Final another success story led by a Sarawakian.
He said that the MTI World Final could be the largest highlight event of the year for the state.
“It is good to see that Kuching, Sarawak, has once again become the host to MTI, which had its first world final here in Sarawak in 1994.
“The event is a significant celebration of MTI’s Silver Jubilee in the place where it was first started,” he said in a text speech read by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abang Johari also congratulated founder and president of MTI Tan Sri Danny Ooi, and Sarawakian organiser from Yast Group, Esther Law, who is also the chairperson of the 25th MTI World Final, and thanked them for choosing Sarawak for the Silver Jubilee.
He said bringing the world to Sarawak is a good and timely initiative.
“Kudos to the organizing chairlady, Esther Law, for taking this initiative to assist in the promotion of tourism for Sarawak as I know it has not been an easy journey in making this event possible for the last 18 days.
“This will be one remarkable, memorable, and meaningful moment to be well remembered,” he said.
He said, after two years of movement control order (MCO), Sarawak is now slowly getting back to the norm where people can interact with each other more conveniently and more frequently, though with all precautionary steps and measurements taken into consideration.
“After the opening of travelling locally, and the gradual openingup of international borders, we are expecting more tourists and visitors to Sarawak.
“We not only focus on conventional tourism, but also put effort into growing other activities in bringing in more people to Sarawak, for instance, business events. Through business events, we can directly and indirectly promote Sarawak to the world.
“I understand that our industry players are also taking their responsibilities and initiatives in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, which is a good collective effort made by the stakeholders, besides government allocating the appropriate resources and giving the support to achieve a sustainable future for Sarawak,” he said.
Also present at the event were Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts deputy ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Utility and Telecommunication deputy minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang, and Miri City mayor Adam Yii.