Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is set to host the largest pageantry event ever - the 26th Miss Tourism International (MTI) Pageant 2023 World Finals.
A turnout of over 2,000 people is expected, including contestants from 45 to 50 countries, for the 17-day event from November 10.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between organising host, EventLab Works and Supplies Sdn Bhd, and MTI President and title owner Tan Sri Danny Ooi for D’Touch International Sdn Bhd, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, Friday.
The joint organisers are represented by Miss Malaysia Tourism 2015, Xandria Ban and Genie Chua.
The MTI World Finals coronation night will be held on Nov 25 at the SICC.
Prior to the World Finals Night, delegates will be engaging in tourism activities to promote Sabah, in line with the theme “Bringing the World to Sabah”.
They will be visiting the Orang-utan Sanctuary in Sandakan, apart from having their portraits drawn by local artists, being involved in a Largest Palm Print Wall and an International Friendship Garden tree-planting programme.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who witnessed the signing, announced that a special discount would be available for families of the contestants involved.
“Sabah will definitely be in the limelight when the countries set foot in our beautiful State.
“My Ministry will be there to lend fullest support and make it a memorable experience for them to enjoy what Sabah has to offer,” she said in her speech.
Danny said the MTI was previously held in Kuching, Sarawak and Sabah has always been a destination in mind as he has many friends here.
“The purpose of the event is to promote tourism, culture and friendship where the focus would be on local culture and traditional wear,” he said, adding a lot of exposure would be given to Sabah.
The MTI pageant is a Malaysian title started in 1994 with only 25 countries and to date has been franchised to more than 100 countries.
Through his 33 years of organising beauty pageants both locally and Internationally, Danny has crowned 115 Miss Malaysia and 143 International title winners.
