MoBay could host Miss Universe next year

No. 133 Friday, August 27, 2010
By Volney Barrett
The resort city of Montego Bay could host the prestigious Miss Universe Pageant next year, if the promoters decide to take it to Jamaica.

   Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the announcement this week on the heels of Jamaica’s Yendi Phillips’ being placed second in the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, which was won by Jimena Navarrate of Mexico. The pageant was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., Monday night.
    Minister Bartlett who said that Yendi Phillips’ elegant beauty, eloquence and confidence had catapulted her into getting the highest ever finish by Jamaica in the Miss Universe pageant, also revealed that the organizers of the pageant are already in discussions with representatives of the Jamaica Tourist Board, JTB with respect to staging the internationally acclaimed contest in the island.
    “I am very pleased in fact that the organizers of the Miss Universe Pageant have already been in touch with our JTB representative with a view of moving the contest to Jamaica next year, Minister Bartlett expressed in a release on Wednesday.
    The release from Mr. Bartlett stated that the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, which is now close to completion, could be the likely venue if Jamaica gets the nod. The centre is expected to be completed by December 1 after which it will be handed over to the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, JHTA for the hosting of the 2011 Caribbean Hotel Marketplace convention in January of next year.
    He admitted that he is leaning towards 2012 which would be part of the highlight of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. He said that if could not work out for 2012 then they will have to work with the pageant organizers for 2011.
    The Tourism Minister said that Phillips’ performance in Las Vegas has given Jamaica a much needed boost, coming against the background of the recent negative publicity which the country received during the Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke matter in West Kingston.
    “We are now one of the most talked about countries, based purely on the charisma and charm which Yendi displayed in the contest,” Minister Bartlett said.
    In the meantime, Minister Bartlett said that he is looking forward to the continuation of talks with the Miss Universe organizers after which we will be establishing a team with a mission of garnering major sponsorship for this world class event.
    The eyes of the world will be on Jamaica during the preparation stages for the competition and Minister Bartlett said, “The country stands to reap major exposure from the world’s top networks leading up to and even after the pageant is staged here.”
    And Prime Minister Bruce Golding has congratulated Phillips for her performance: “I know I speak for all of Jamaica when I say that we are extremely proud of Yendi’s performance in the Miss Universe competition.”
    Mr. Golding said that she showed to the world some of the best aspects of the Jamaican character - charm, confidence, and a beauty that radiates from the inside.
    “Yendi is an outstanding ambassador and I am confident she will continue to bring glory to our nation. We are proud of you, Yendi,” the Prime Minister added.
    Yendi Phillips was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2007 and went on to represent the island in the Miss World Pageant in China that said year. She was first runner-up in Miss World Beach Beauty and a finalist in the Miss World sports, Miss World Talent, Miss World Top Model and e Beauty with a Purpose Award. She also made it to t top 16. This marks the first time that a Jamaican contestant is finishing in the top three in the history of the Miss Universe Pageant.