Lao Voices

I’m very pleased when I saw the article from The New York Times that Laos is one of the 53 places to go in 2008. According to the article, Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina’s next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak houseboats are cruising down the Mekong. And global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang to sample the Laotian tasting menu at 3 Nagas or hang out by the infinity pool at the seriously upscale Residence Phou Vao.

With that said, I came across an article about Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 at Manager online, and surprised to learn that Laos didn’t send in Miss Laos as one of the contestants, maybe this is something that we should be considering, and since we have not done so, this made me to think that Miss Laos is not ready to be in a swimsuit competition.

(Left to right Miss Trindad & Tobago, Miss Fernando De Naronha, Winner – Miss Russia - , Miss Thailand , Miss USA)

Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 will be held from 20th March to the 12th of April in Zheng Zhou, China.

Over 120 beauty ambassadors will travel to exciting China, where they will spread the word about their countries, territories or islands’ tourist attractions and enchanted corners!

You may view the contestant profiles here or cast your vote to support your favorite contestant(s).

I find this interesting that you can vote online, it’s $3 for 10 votes, $15 for 50 votes, and $30 for 100 votes, this makes it easier for those that are rooting for their country’s beauty contestant.

This year, they are expecting to have up to 120 delegates participating. With each country’s tourism ambassadors gathering, Miss Tourism Queen International aims at enhancing the tourism development, the friendship among different countries, and international culture exchange.

There are contestants from our neighboring countries, such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, just to name a few.

This is especially good for Laos because with the mutual benefit between Miss Tourism Pageant and Tourist City, this event attracts full support from different circles in the society, and the special involvement of the press and TV media. With around 250 press’s coverage and over 50 TV media’s broadcasting, Miss Tourism Queen International serves as an international platform for the involved regions, business brand, tourist cities, tourist products, fashion and luxury goods. I believed this will boost the Laos tourism and economy.

Beauty pageant photos credited to misstqi.com.