Thailand In Bid To Host Next Year's Miss Universe

[george]

Thailand in bid to host next year's Miss Universe

BANGKOK: -- This year's Miss Universe contest has only just ended in Bangkok, but already the Thai government is hoping that the kingdom can host the international beauty pageant again next year.

While some countries are wary of having the controversial contest on their doorstep, Thailand has seen it as a perfect opportunity to promote its tourism industry after the December tsunami, which caused a massive drop in international visitor numbers.

Today Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said that hosting the event in future years would help the private sector compensate for the losses of over Bt100 million incurred as a result of this year's contest, largely because of the short time the private sector had to find sponsors.

But he stressed that despite the private sector losses, Thailand's hosting of the contest had been invaluable to the tourism sector, leading to foreign revenue of Bt300-500 million flowing into the country.

Thailand, partly selected to host Miss Universe 2005 as a result of the damage to its tourism industry caused by the tsunami, was allowed to use the contest as an opportunity to broadcast a series of 20-minute documentaries about its tourism attractions to over 800 million Miss Universe viewers in 171 countries across the world.

The Canadian winner of the contest, Miss Natalie Glebov,

has also agreed to use the Thai greeting 'sawasdi' and the 'wai' hand gesture throughout the time she holds her position.

--TNA 2005-06-04

[The_Moog]

The Canadian winner of the contest, Miss Natalie Glebov,

has also agreed to use the Thai greeting 'sawasdi' and the 'wai' hand gesture throughout the time she holds her position.

thats silly

people wont understand her

if contest was in Bali would she say 'salamat datang' all year?

[Pattaya_Fox]

Thailand in bid to host next year's Miss Universe 

BANGKOK: -- This year's Miss Universe contest has only just ended in Bangkok, but already the Thai government is hoping that the kingdom can host the international beauty pageant again next year.

While some countries are wary of having the controversial contest on their doorstep, Thailand has seen it as a perfect opportunity to promote its tourism industry after the December tsunami, which caused a massive drop in international visitor numbers.

Today Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said that hosting the event in future years would help the private sector compensate for the losses of over Bt100 million incurred as a result of this year's contest, largely because of the short time the private sector had to find sponsors.

But he stressed that despite the private sector losses, Thailand's hosting of the contest had been invaluable to the tourism sector, leading to foreign revenue of Bt300-500 million flowing into the country. 

Thailand, partly selected to host Miss Universe 2005 as a result of the damage to its tourism industry caused by the tsunami, was allowed to use the contest as an opportunity to broadcast a series of 20-minute documentaries about its tourism attractions to over 800 million Miss Universe viewers in 171 countries across the world.

The Canadian winner of the contest, Miss Natalie Glebov,

has also agreed to use the Thai greeting 'sawasdi' and the 'wai' hand gesture throughout the time she holds her position.

--TNA 2005-06-04

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Will they really get the private sector to sponsor the full funding of this flamboyant event?

Last August the government agreed to pay Baht 270 million for the right to hold the event....so they had over 8 months to try to find private sponsors to fund it....but failed...and made a massive loss...over Bt 100 million....I`ll bet well over.

300 to 500 million baht in foreign revenue.....and a massive loss....sounds like bad business to me...