Pageant News Bureau - Miss Tourism International 2003

People have always traveled -- in mass migrations, on religious pilgrimages, on journeys of exploration. But only a few adventurers liked to go somewhere and return just to say they had made the trip.

English aristocrats of the 18th century helped change that. They enjoyed travel for its own sake. The "Grand Tour" of the historic sites of Europe became a rite of passage for wealthy young Englishmen. The purpose, ostensibly, was to get a first-hand look at history and culture. But many lads went mostly to sow their wild oats.

Today, tourism is one of the world's major businesses, the backbone of many national economies. Every newspaper has a travel section, and there's even a Travel Channel. Sightseers and fun-seekers crisscross the globe, seeking to experience new things.

So why not have a pageant built around tourism? No need to ask. There's one already.

On Dec. 31, 2003, as part of the countdown to 2004, Angela Beck of South Africa was crowned Miss Tourism International 2003 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Victoria Karyda of Greece was crowned Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2003. Xing Hui Yuan of China was crowned Miss Intercontinental International 2003 and also won Best National Costume. Laura Romero of Argentina was crowned Dreamgirl of the Year International 2003. Zuzana Putrrova of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss Cosmopolitan International 2003.

As Marco Polo might say, "That's enough to make a boy leave home."

A great reason to see the world