EFFORTS by beauty pageant organisers to promote such events in the country are slowly gaining momentum with the hope that they play a significant role in promoting tourism here.
Pageant organiser Ammetta Malhotra said there were many spillover effects from the industry which can help reap profits, such as beauty care, healthcare and nutritional diets which are also fast gaining popularity.
However, she did admit that one obstacle to such pageants in the country was opposition from certain segments who claimed that such pageants were immoral.
“People must understand that beauty pageants are not about showing off one’s body. There are many other aspects to make one a winner, including general knowledge, personality and grooming. Participants also need strict discipline to maintain their diet," she said.
She said maintaining a strict diet was not an easy task, especially since the country is renowned for its gastronomic reputation.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid recently spoke in Parliament about the need for Malaysia to carve a niche in the competitive tourism sector.
She urged the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) to look at finding niches in tourism instead of trying to group all attractions together.
Syerleena noted that while Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are witnessing a resurgence in tourism, Malaysia is still coming to terms with the ill effects of the pandemic.
Malhotra and seasoned beauty pageant judge and writer, Francis Yip strongly feel that beauty pageants can be the “X-factor” in helping the authorities lure more tourists to the country.
“This does not mean we need to hold more pageants. Winners can play a proactive role in assisting the relevant authorities in marketing our tourism products.
“Also, if our pageants are lucrative enough, more ladies will see it fit to participate and such events can draw in more sponsors and even gain international recognition," said Yip.
Malhotra recently organised two pageants - Mrs Earth Malaysia and SuperModel Universe International where participants came from all over the world.
This included countries such as Syria, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Russia, Moldova, the Philippines and the Netherlands in this first-ever Malaysia - hosted Super Model Universe 2023 International Grand Final.
Malhotra said it was an honour for Malaysia to host such an event, as previously it was mostly held in European countries.
"Beauty sells and we can do it the right way. It does not need to be raunchy,” said Yip. - The Vibes, October 25, 2023.
