Thirty-three beauties from around the world will converge in Sibu, Malaysian eastern state of Sarawak in December to compete in the finals of the World Miss Tourism Pageant 2007, an official of Sarawak in Sibu announced on Monday.

The participants would arrive in Malaysia from November 23 to 25, said Wong Soon Koh, Urban Development and Tourism Minister of Sarawak state.

They would then leave for Kuching, capital city of Sarawak state, and Miri, a city in Sarawak, to visit various tourism destinations before coming back on Dec. 2 for the grand final on Dec. 7.

This was the first time for Sibu, after Kuching and Miri, to host a beauty contest of this magnitude, he said.

"This big and prestigious event will put Sibu on the world tourist map due to the wide publicity it will generate. I hope the town folk, especially the corporate figures and businessmen, will support us in making a success of the event," the national news agency Bernama quoted Wong as saying.

Wong, who is advisor to the event, said the pageant would help raise funds for local charitable organizations and Chinese education.

If successful, Sibu might host the Miss Chinese International World pageant next year, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)