MTI 2020 E-PROGRAMME BOOK_2

Biggest Virtual International Tourism Pageant Final listed in Malaysia Book of Records Promoting “TOURISM, CULTURE & FRIENDSHIP” Maria Carolina Balicki Vinharski BRAZIL



MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 3

TAN SRI DATUK DANNY OOI P.S.M., P.J.N. President & Owner of Miss Tourism International 2020/21 4 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

MESSAGE FROM THE TAN SRI DATUK DANNY OOI P.S.M., P.J.N. President & Owner, Miss Tourism International Good evening L & G, Welcome to the 1st Miss Tourism International Virtual World Final 2020/2021 The Covid situation has disrupted the Pageant Industry and therefore we have no choice but to take the pageant event to another level, that is to present it on Virtual Stage. I believe through the Virtual stage, the Miss Tourism International will still serve its purpose of promoting Tourism, Culture and Friendship. I would like to thank the 31 country delegates for taking part in this first ever Virtual Final and also an opportunity for me to present my 6 International Titles to the winners. Thank you to our distinguished panel of judges, the sponsors as well as our Joint Organiser, Flux Broadcast & Media Sdn Bhd, The design team from Kenarts and Less Than 3 studio. Our Emcee for this evening, Tiong Li San and the team from D’Touch International. I wish to thank Malaysia Book of Records for listing the event as the ‘Biggest Virtual International Tourism Pageant Final’ in the records book and congratulation to all of you for being part of this record breaking feat. To all watching tonight, wishing all of you good health and may 2021 be a good year ahead as we battle this Covid 19 Pandemic. Stay Safe and Enjoy a great evening. TAN SRI DATUK DANNY OOI P.S.M., P.J.N. President & Owner of Miss Tourism International MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 5

MISS TOUR Maria Car Balicki Vin BRAZI Established in 1994 MISS TOURISM INTER 23 Years Going On Strong Miss Tourism International was first introduced in 1994 in Malaysia, with its first inaugural world final held in Kuching, Sarawak. Miss Australia Tourism, Michelle Leigh Homes won the first ever Miss Tourism International Title. To date, more than 800 Miss Tourism Delegates from 100 countries have participated in the Miss Tourism International World Final. The 23rd Edition of MTI 2020 World Final, held on a Virtual platform for the first time, was won by Miss Maria Carolina Balicki Vinharski from Brazil. With the theme, ‘Promoting Tourism, Culture & Friendship’, Miss Tourism International has played its role in promoting Tourism, and facilitating Cultural Exchanges among the delegates from the participating countries. The stage is set for the upcoming Miss Tourism International 2021/22 World Final. ‘Step into the world of Beauty & Glamour’

RISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 rolina nharski IL RNATIONAL 1994 2019MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL Michelle Leigh Holmes Cyrille Payumo AUSTRALIA PHILIPPINES

2020/21 Prom “TOURISM, CULTUR Miss Tourism International Pageant is about bringing the world together to promote Tourism, Culture & Friendship. Through the MTI World Final, the delegates are able to promote the MTI mission among them, while at the same time, assisting their respective country’s Tourism Ministry through this platform. Activities and programmes of the delegates arranged by the Organiser in the field of culture and tourism fosters learning, discovery, richer experience and consuming the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products of the nation. The cultural exchanges among the delegates itself promote better

moting RE & FRIENDSHIP” understanding and friendship of each country. Miss Tourism International Pageant has developed a sustainable cultural tourism event that benefits the communities, tourism related sectors and operators, and for the country as a whole. To date, Miss Tourism International has welcomed more than 800 delegates to Malaysia, and the delegates hail from more than 100 countries from around the world. The Miss Tourism International is now a renowned title worldwide and will continue its mission annually, by giving opportunities for delegates to participate in this prestigious world final.



MTI PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES ALBANIA ALGERIA ARGENTINA ARMENIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN BAHAMAS BELARUS BELGIUM BOLIVIA BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA BRAZIL BULGARIA CAMBODIA CAMEROON CANADA CHINA COSTA RICA CRIMEA CYPRUS CZECH REP DENMARK DOMINICAN REP EGYPT EL SALVADOR ENGLAND ESTONIA FINLAND FRANCE GEORGIA GERMANY GREECE GUATEMALA GUINEA HONG KONG HUNGARY ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA ITALY JAPAN KAZAKHSTAN KENYA KOREA KOSOVO KYRGYZSTAN LATVIA LEBANON LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG MACAO MACEDONIA MEXICO MOLDOVA MONGOLIA MONTENEGRO MYANMAR NAMIBIA NETHERLANDS NEPAL NEW ZEALAND NIGERIA NORWAY PAKISTAN PANAMA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES POLAND PORTUGAL ROMANIA RUSSIA SERBIA SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN SRI LANKA SWAZILAND SWEDEN TAIWAN TATARSTAN THAILAND TURKEY TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO UGANDA UKRAINE UBEZKISTAN URUGUAY USA VENEZUELA VIETNAM WALES ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

Top L-R 1994 1995 1998 1999 2000 2001 AUSTRALIA GREECE POLAND POLAND PHILIPPINES INDIA Michelle Leigh Holmes Maria Patelli Roksana Jonek Agnieszka Zakreta Maria Esperanza Candice Pinto Bottom L-R 2011 2013 2016 2018 2 12 2009GERMANYMISSTOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 MALAYSIA PHILIPPINES NEW ZEALAND INDONESIA Sarah Elzanowski Gabriella Robinson Angeli Dione Gomez Ariel Pearse Astari Indah Vernideani

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 THAILAND USA SOUTH AFRICA FRANCE ROMANIA INDIA o Piyanuch Khamboon Angela Beck Megha Nabe Isabelle Lamant Manea Florina Manasvi Mamgai 2020 2019 2017 2014 2012 2010 13PHILIMPISPSITNOUERSISM INTERNATIONNALE2T0H20E/21RLANDS Rizzini Alexis Gomez Nathalie Den Dekker BRAZIL PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES VENEZUELA Maria Carolina Cyrille Payumo Jannie Loudette Faddya Ysabel Balicki Vinharski Alipo-on Halabi Troisi

Miss Tourism International W 2010 1994 2014 CROW2NE0D0IN6CHINA 2017 2

World Final Crowning Moment 2013 2011 2018 2020 2016 2019

11th Miss Tourism International 2006 World Final In Heyuan - Guangdong, China First Time Ever.......... In 2004, Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi made history by becoming the first Malaysian to bring an International Pageant World Final to China - the 11th Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International held in Changsha, Hunan Province. In the following year, the 12th Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International was organised in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. This marks the beginning of many more pageants to be held in China. Miss Tourism International Pageant, typically hosted in Malaysia, had a chance to land in China. Miss Tourism International 2006 World Final, the 11th edition, was held in Heyuan, Guangdong. Coincidentally, the final was on 11th November 2006. Indeed, a significant date to remember: 111111. And as they say, the rest is history. 2006 Manea Florina ROMANIA



11th Miss Tourism International 2006 World Final In Heyuan - Guangdong, China An Amazing Journey Heyuan, famously known as a “Dinousar Village”, has transformed into a city. Dating An account of my amazing journey, to centuries back, many households found bringing the 11th Miss Tourism International a dinosaur egg or two. The Government 2006 world final to China. Heyuan, started to recover these eggs (in fossil form) Guangdong Province, a new place unheard to be kept in the Museum. of by the 43 Delegates, and myself included. Even more memorable, was the event A total of 13,000 eggs were collected, and and the date. The 11th MTI World Final this earned its own record in the 2004 Night was held on 11th November, and the edition of the Guinness World Record, for winner was crowned at 11pm. 11111111. An the ‘Largest Collection of Dinosaur Eggs astounding coincidence! in One Museum’. With the authority’s My journey started from KLIA to Guangzhou approval, the delegates had the lucky Airport, a 150 minutes’ drive to Nan Koon chance to hold some of these eggs in their San Hot Spring Resort, where the delegates hands for a photo opportunity. were to stay for 3 days, enjoying the 72 hot Heyuan Wanly Lake is another attraction, spring pools after a long, tiring journey. It where visitors could scoop out a glass full was an experience of a lifetime. and drink straight. There are many unique It was then that we took to the road again stories and great memories that will be to our Official Residence in Heyuan, the remembered for many years to come. Great International Hotel. As we were Though Heyuan has so much to offer, it approaching the Hotel, I could not help brings me indescribable joy and pride, but feel proud – along the many roads we knowing that a Malaysian-made title, Miss took, huge billboards featured the 11th Miss Tourism International, took China by storm. Tourism International 2006 World Final A moment for all Malaysians to savour and event. Malaysia Boleh! be proud of.



Promoting TOURISM KEDAH Miss Tourism International is an additional platform to promote the sights and sounds of Beautiful Malaysia. Delegates were brought to many places of interest. Happy sightseeing! PENANG PUTRAJAYA

JOHOR PERAK MELAKA KUALA LUMPUR

Promoting CULTURE Cultural Tourism, an essential part of the MTI pageant. Delegates learn and experience Malaysian cultures. It promotes cultural exchange among the delegates.



Promoting DELICACIES - Food & Fruits Gastronomy Tourism is part of an important activity of MTI. Delegates become Foodies when savoring the uniqueness of Malaysian Food n Fruits. A real culinary experience.



The Beauty of Hearts A platform to nurture a caring heart among the delegates by interacting with the less fortunate. Through this platform, it will bring the best of them to exercise their kindness and Compassion with a touch of their tender hands.



Promoting SPORTS TOURISM Sports Tourism is a leisure activity for visitors coming to the country. MTI delegates are given the opportunity to engage in various sporting games while participating in the World Final.



TOBGRIENGTINHGETRHEAWSOROLDNE PEA

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MISS TOURISM INTERN2A0T1IO9N/2A0L Cyrille Payumo (PHILIPPINES) Good day everyone, This is Cyrille Payumo, your Miss Tourism International 2019/20. It’s been a year since I was crowned, a year since the day my life changed magically as I played a lot of role in this journey. By being an ambassador, a beauty queen, a daughter, a friend, a role model and most especially a human being who learned to respect each and every culture and differences even more; who expanded her knowledge & experiences to cultivate tourism into somebody’s life. As the day goes by, for the first time ever in the history of Miss Tourism International Final, Our respected organization will continue to strengthen ties with countries across the globe through a pageant online. More than 45 candidates will participate to bring Malaysia to the world and to promote tourism, culture and friendship. In the midst of pandemic, not all our mission are stuck in the moment. because we can always find a better goal to live with our dreams as the time continues. 32 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21



Judges 2020/21 AMBER CHIA DATUK MICHAEL CHAN Executive Director/CEO Of Model, Actress & Brand Ambassador Media Prima Omnia DATO’ DR. MICHAEL TIO ZOEE TAN Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Book of Records Movie Producer, Actress & Miss Malaysia Queen of Tourism 1996

PENNY SOON TERESA DIAN CHEW Principal Image Consultant, Miss Malaysia Dreamgirl 1992 Author, Speaker Emcee WONG CHUI LING TIONG LI SAN Celebrity Entrepreneur Miss Malaysia Tourism Metropolitan 2016 Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2019/20 1st Runner Up

Me 2020/21

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ARGENTINA Guadalupe Montivero Age: 25 | Hobbies: Football, Reading and Singing Occupation: Lawyer Iguazú Falls The stunning Iguazú Falls lie along Argentina’s border with Brazil, with Iguazu National Park on the Argentinian side and Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these huge waterfalls are undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sights in South America. Malaysia Highlights Ipoh Railway Station (PERAK) 20 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 The Ipoh railway station is a Malaysian train station located at the south-western side of and named after the capital city of Ipoh, Perak. It serves as the main railway terminal for the state under Keretapi Tanah Melayu offering KTM ETS services, as well as handling freight trains.

Kate Moore AUSTRALIA Age: 21 | Hobbies: Drawing, Styling and Horse Riding Occupation: Part-Time Model / Actor Sydney Harbour Bridge The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a heritage-listed steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of Sydney, and Australia itself. The bridge is nicknamed “The Coathanger” because of its arch-based design. Malaysia Highlights Langkawi Sky Bridge (KEDAH) 21 Langkawi Sky Bridge is a 125-metre curved pedestrian cable-stayed bridge in Malaysia, completed in 2005. The bridge deck is located 660 metres above sea level at the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the Langkawi archipelago in Kedah. MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

Charlotte Bulcke Age: 26 | Hobbies: Sport, Shopping and Travelling Occupation: Event Planner BELGIUM 22 Malaysia HighlightsMISSTOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 Leuven Home to the oldest Catholic university in the world, Leuven is home about 100,000 residents with nearly 35,000 of them being students that keep the city lively when classes are in session. Two seemingly endless streets are laden with interesting shops and galleries, while the more historical section of the city boasts sites such as the The Belfry on St. Peter’s Church and the Grand Beguinage. Petronas Twin Towers (KUALA LUMPUR) Soaring to a height of 451.9 metres, the 88-storey twin structure is Kuala Lumpur’s crown jewel. Majestic by day and dazzling at night, the PETRONAS Twin Towers is inspired by Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s vision for Malaysia to be a global player. Designed by the late master architect Cesar Pelli, the international icon powerfully captures the nation’s ambitions and aspirations.

Luz Elva Claros Gallardo BOLIVIA Age: 25 | Hobbies: Gardening, Reading, Sport, Video Games and Streaming Occupation: Artist Plastic or Visual Artist Isla del Sol Isla del Sol is a Bolivian island in Lake Titicaca. It’s crossed by trails and known for Inca sites like Pilko Kaina, with its ruined palace. In nearby Yumani village, the Escalera del Inca is a staircase leading to a spring once believed to prolong youth. In the north, near Challapampa village, are the labyrinth-like Chincana ruins. The Roca Sagrada is a large rock said to be the birthplace of the first Incas. Malaysia Highlights Tioman Island (PAHANG) About 56km off the coast of Pahang lies Tioman Island, an alluring holiday paradise in the South China Sea. Acclaimed as one of the best island getaways in the world, Tioman was the location of the Hollywood musical, ‘South Pacific’, in 1959. 23MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

Maria Carolina Balicki Vinharski Age: 22 | Hobbies: Travelling and Learning New Cultures, Reading and photographing Occupation: Marketing Analyst, Model and Influencer BRAZIL Malaysia Highlights Christ the Redeemer 24 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with French engineer Albert Caquot. Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida fashioned the face. Siti Khadijah Market (KELANTAN) A good way to get to know a Malaysian town is to visit its markets, the economic centre of the community. The Siti Khadijah Market is named after Prophet Muhammad’s entrepreneurial wife – a fitting name for a market mostly run by women. This market has something for everyone, from fresh produce to traditional crafts and cakes. It is also a slice of life in Kelantan, abuzz with the colours, scents and sounds of the local community.

BULGARIA Androniki Parvanova Age: 22 | Hobbies: Training, Dancing and Going out with friends Occupation: Student Sunny Beach Sunny Beach is a resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast It’s known for its water sports, sand dunes and nightlife. Its waterfront is lined by a long sandy beach. Inland are a paintball park, a go- kart track and a water park with many slides. The yacht marina at Sveti Vlas is to the northeast. To the south, the town of Nessebar has ancient ruins and an Archaeological Museum with millennia-old pottery and bronze vessels. Malaysia Highlights Gunung Mulu National Park (SARAWAK) 25 Mulu Caves National Park is home to one of the longest networks of caves in the world. Here lies the world’s largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, capable of accommodating forty Boeing 747 airplanes. In Mulu, you will also find one of the world’s biggest cave passages, Deer Cave, which can fit five cathedrals the size of Saint Paul’s in London. Another key attraction is Clear WaMtIeSSr Cave,TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 the longest cave in Southeast Asia.

Chhun Raksa Age: 21 | Hobbies: Read Book, Gym and Adventure Occupation: Student and Model CAMBODIA Angkor Wat Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and is the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. 26 Malaysia HighlightsMISSTOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 St Paul’s Hill (A’Famosa) (MELAKA) The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A’Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attacks, the A’Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East.

Tekapso Leslie Age: 20 | Hobbies: Singing ,Dancing and Sports Occupation: Modeling CAMEROON Ekom Nkam Waterfalls The mountainous terrain amidst the rainforest, cause many waterfalls but the Chutes d’Ekom is particularly recommended for its picturesque view. The literal name of waterfall is ‘falling from Ekom’, the local village is close to the city of Melong. Malaysia Highlights Port Dickson Beach 27 (NEGERI SEMBILAN) Port Dickson is said to have been named after a British officer, Sir John Frederik Dickson, in 1889. Others mentioned that the place was named after another British officer who supervised the British ports handling ore in Lukut, a district of Port Dickson at the time. MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

Arshdeep Purba Age: 23 | Hobbies: Dance, Sports and Travel Occupation: Actress & Server CANADA Malaysia Highlights Moraine Lake 28 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet. The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares. Mt Kinabalu via Ferrata (SABAH) Via ferrata (or ‘iron road’ in Italian), is a mountain path consisting of a series of rungs, rails and cables embracing the rock face. There are more than 300 via ferrata routes around the world and the world’s highest via ferrata, can now be found on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, whereby the highest point starts at 3,400m and ends at 3,800m. This is the first time that the sport of via ferrata climbing is taking place in Asia.

Tereza Bohuslavova CZECH REPUBLIC Age: 24 | Hobbies: Modeling, Fitness, Running, Skating and Skiing Occupation: Student and Model Charles Bridge Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and completed ats the beginning of the 15th century. Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Malaysia Highlights Batu Caves (SELANGOR) 29 Site of a Hindu temple and shrine, Batu Caves attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists, especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. A limestone outcrop located just north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves has three main caves featuring temples and Hindu shrines. Its main attraction is the large statue of the Hindu God at the entrance, besides a steep 272 climb up itsMISsSteTOpURsIStMoINTERNATIONAL 2020/21 finally view the stunning skyline of the city centre.

Nancy AlDayem Age: 22 | Hobbies: Ballet, Dancing, Modeling and Acting Occupation: Actress and Ballet Instructor EGYPT Giza Necropolis The Giza pyramid complex, also called the Giza Necropolis, is the site on the Giza Plateau in Egypt that includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with their associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Malaysia Highlights Pulau Kukup Johor National Park 30 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 (JOHOR) Pulau Kukup is one of the largest uninhabited mangroves in the world. It is also the only one situated in Johor waters. Today, Pulau Kukup has received international recognition, being granted the status of a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ (RAMSAR site) by the Geneva- based Ramsar Convention Bureau.

Anna-Maria Peltola Age: 19 | Hobbies: Reading, Gym and Jogging Occupation: Customer Servant FINLAND Helsinki Cathedral Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. Malaysia Highlights Melati Lake (PERLIS) 31 Situated approximately 8 kilometres north of the Kangar town of Perlis, Melati Lake is a small yet pleasing lake which lies in partially swampy low- land. Getting its name from the sweet aromatic of Jasmine, Melati Lake is dabbed with more than 150 sandbar islands that are accessible only by small boats and its waters are filled with fishes MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21

Kimberley Lemaire Age: 24 | Hobbies: Dance, Travel and Spend time with my friends Occupation: Eyelash Technician FRANCE Malaysia Highlights Louvre Museum 32 MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2020/21 The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum, is the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France. A central landmark of the city, the Louvre is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city’s 1st arrondissement. Approximately 38,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited over an area of 72,735 square metres (782,910 square feet). In 2018, the Louvre was the world’s most visited art museum, receiving 10.2 million visitors. Kenyir Lake (TERENGGANU) Tasik Kenyir is the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia, spanning 260,000 hectares. It is also Malaysia’s largest rock-filled hydroelectric dam. When the area was flooded, most of the hills were above the water level, thus creating about 340 man-made islands. The rainforest that cradles the area furnishes the lake with an incredible assortment of flora and fauna. These include rare ferns, exotic orchids, hornbills, elephants, and panthers.