Zimbabwe snubs Miss Tourism World

Zimbabwe snubs Miss Tourism World

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By Joseph Katete

THE Miss Tourism World finals hosted by Zimbabwe early this year were an unnecessary expense and would not be held again in 2006 as scheduled, a government official said this week.

Addressing a press conference at the launch of a new pageant, Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke said government had resolved not to host the pageant again.

“After holding the Miss Tourism World we sat down and tried to find out whether there were any tangible benefits for holding such an event and it was very difficult to quantify them (the benefits),” said Kaseke.

Zimbabwe had to pay US$2 million to the pageant licence holders led by John Singh host the event.

Apart from that, it had to bankroll the travelling, accommodation and meal expenses for more than 80 models, scores of regional and international journalists as well as Miss Tourism World officials, who came for the event.

Many Zimbabweans were not aware of Miss Tourism World pageant, until late last year when the country won the bid to host the beauty contest ahead of Thailand and China. Zimbabwe became the first African country to host the pageant. The event was held on February 26 at the Harare International Conference Centre.

A call to Singh on Thursday wasn't immediately returned.

Although Zimbabwe has said it is not going to hold the Miss Tourism World pageant in Harare, recent press releases from the Miss Tourism World Organisation suggested that preparations to host the event were underway.

The title-holder of the Miss Tourism World is Miss Czech Republic, Zuzara Putnarova (18) who was crowned in Harare.

The reigning national beauty queen Oslie Muringai, who finished a commendable second princess represented the country - Daily Mirror
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