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Miss World pageant to return to Sanya in 2005
(newsphoto)
Updated: 2004-12-03 14:15
The Miss World pageant will return to the tropical Chinese beach town of
Sanya in 2005 for the third straight year, pageant president Julia Morley said
Friday.
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Miss Australia Sarah Davies tries the beauty
crown after being voted the contestant most suitable to be Miss World , by
the other contestants, during a dress rehearsal for the 54th Miss World
contest in Sanya, on south China's Hainan Island Thursday Dec. 2, 2004.
Contestants from 107 countries and regions are in Sanya preparing for the
final on Dec. 4. [newsphoto]
Miss World contestants stand on stage during a
rehearsal for the 54th Miss World contest in Sanya, on south China's
Hainan Island, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004. Contestants from 107 countries and
regions are in Sanya preparing for the final on Dec. 4.
[newsphoto]
Miss World contestants stand on stage during a
rehearsal for the 54th Miss World contest in Sanya, on south China's
Hainan Island, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004.
[newsphoto]
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"I am really excited to tell you that the 55th Miss World contest will be
held here in Sanya,'' Morley said at a news conference on the eve of the final
for this year's pageant. ``We feel this is our home.''
The announcement expands a partnership between London-based Miss World and
Sanya, which hopes the publicity will promote the city on Hainan Island in the
South China Sea as a tourist destination.
Morley and Sanya Mayor Chen Ci said this year's pageant is a cooperative
venture.
In contrast to last year, when Sanya paid Miss World a US$4.8 million fee,
the city is paying nothing, and instead is providing security and other support,
said Morley and Chen.
Miss World organizers are responsible for finding sponsors.
Chen said the partnership is a good fit because ``this is a safe island.''
Miss World came to Sanya last year after the pageant was forced to flee
Nigeria in 2002 following deadly rioting.
Morley praised Sanya's ``loving, peaceful feeling'' and picturesque beaches.
``Everybody wants to come back because of the kindness shown to us,'' she
said.
Sanya built new highways and a tiara-shaped convention center for Miss World
last year.
Since then, the new facilities have helped the town to host more than 1,000
international events, Chen said.
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