Miss Universe China contestants on pre-pageant tour
It wasn’t so long ago when there were tours by a bevy of beauties from the Miss India and Miss France pageants. Now it’s now time to welcome the contingent of Miss Universe China for a pre-pageant tour in Sri Lanka. Twenty three beauties will be arriving in Sri Lanka on August 26 and they will be here until September 1 when they fly back to China in time for the Miss China crowning pageant.
Miss China 2013 Jin Ye dazzles in a saree
A press conference to announce the tour held last Tuesday at the Cinnamon Lakeside, saw Consultant for Laksala, Ajith Perera,Chairman of Access International, Sumal Perera, Director International Relations of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Board, Malraj Kiriella, Chief of administration at the Embassy of the Republic of China Gu Junjie, Deputy Chairman of John Keells Holdings Ajith Gunawardene, CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena, and Director of Miss Universe China Jamie Wu speaking to the press. Miss China 2013 Jin Ye also graced the event, elegantly clad in saree.
While all those at the head table reiterated the exposure this pageant will bring to our country, especially with regard to Chinese tourists, Director International Relations of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Board Malraj Kiriella highlighted the importance of Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka. “Last year there had been 50,000 tourists from China and we have been able to hit the 60,000 mark within the first half of the year. We are expecting 250,000 tourists in 2016 and this will be a big boost in to that goal. Awareness of Sri Lanka has improved greatly especially in China and it is our goal to make Sri Lanka one of the favourite outward-bound destinations for Chinese tourists,” he said.
“The Sri Lanka tour is the first overseas trip for the finalists. We look at it not only as a holiday but also for an experience for the girls to embrace foreign culture and it will also help them experience the hospitality and warmth of Sri Lanka,” said Director of Miss Universe China Jamie Wu.