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SriLankan Airlines will be flying the participants in from China while on-ground arrangements of the tour are being facilitated by Walkers Tours as the official transport providers. Laksala, the leading handicraft retail store in Sri Lanka, will use this opportunity to promote local culture and crafts in China while providing traditional attire for the contestants.
The tour will culminate in a fashion event held at Cinnamon Bey on 30 August powered by Access Engineering Ltd.
From a local perspective, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts together with SriLankan Airlines plans to utilise this endorsement by Chinese celebrities to promote Sri Lanka as a popular and fashionable destination for their holidays.
Aligning the outcome of events of this nature with the targets of John Keells Group, its Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene said: “As the trendsetter in the hospitality industry, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts constantly strives to be innovative and dynamic in organising signature events that are truly world class. By engaging in this world-renowned pageant, our objective is to showcase our country as a tourist destination and highlight its diversity. We hope to address a broader aspect of attracting the Chinese travellers to the island and at the same time further strengthen cultural ties between China and Sri Lanka.”
SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena also reiterated this point. “I’m certain this will create much interest and awareness of Sri Lanka as an island that caters to such high profile events.”
Chandrasena also spoke of the continuing aim of SriLankan Airlines as the national carrier to promote Sri Lankan tourism: “Due to SriLankan Airlines’s keen focus on China and our recent efforts to fortify our presence there, we are pleased to be involved with the Miss China pageant and to welcome the contestants and all Chinese tourists to our country.”
According to officials of the Miss Universe China Pageant, the tour will give then a unique opportunity to see how participants adapt to unfamiliar circumstances and embrace new culture while also promoting China on an international platform.
As Miss Universe China Director Jamie Wu pointed out: “This event will change the dynamic of the competition entirely. When all the contestants go to a foreign country with a different culture they do not understand yet, we can see how the contestants adapt and understand them better.”
Miss Universe China is organised by Yue-Sai Khan Productions and is one of the most glamorous events in China, gathering business leaders, celebrities, international VIPs and media.
Accompanying the contingent will be Yue-Sai Khan, the Chinese American Emmy-winning television host and producer, successful entrepreneur, fashion icon, bestselling author and humanitarian who has a mammoth following in China.
Yue pointed out the significance of this pre-pageant tour saying “the Sri Lanka tour is the first overseas trip Miss Universe China has embarked on with all of the final contestants” and also elaborated on its importance to the hopeful winner of Miss Universe China.
“We look at it not only as a holiday away but a great experience for the girls to get a glimpse of what Miss China’s role entails as a cultural ambassador who represents their own country as well as in learning and embracing all new cultures.”
The contestants will be able to enjoy the hospitality of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts across their range of tourist destinations from Cinnamon Lodge Habarana to Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and experience a mix of rich cultural diversity, wildlife and the beaches of the southern coast.
