Harare hosts tourism pageant
2005-02-27 13:13
Special Report
The High Court judge in Zimbabwean politician Roy Bennett's terrorism trial has refused to step aside.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he doesn't expect the US sanctions on his country to be lifted soon.
Harare - A Czech high school student was crowned Miss Tourism World at a ceremony in Harare late on Saturday, where Zimbabwe was chosen to host the event next year as well.
Zuzara Putnarova won the title of Tourism World 2005 before some 2 000 people at the Harare International Conference Centre.
"It's the best birthday present ever for me," Putnarova, who turns 19 on Monday, told AFP after receiving the crown from last year's winner Aleva Seligario of Hungary.
"Though I worked hard for it I can't believe still I have won. I will try to do my best to promote Zimbabwe as a tourist destination. I loved Harare. The people are warm."
Putnarova beat 93 contestants from 82 countries.
Racquel Babelcia of Spain was chosen first runner-up, reigning Miss Zimbabwe Oslie Muringai second runner-up while Alexandra Olynick of Spain was third runner-up.
The event was attended by Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe.
Michael Orji, spokesperson for the Britain-based Miss Tourism World Organisation said the pageant sought to "promote tourism across the world especially in parts of the world in dire need of promotion".
Zimbabwe has suffered a slump in tourist arrivals from the West in the last four years due to the ongoing stand-off between President Robert Mugabe's government and the United States and the European Union over alleged rights abuses in the southern African country.
The EU and the United States imposed a travel embargo on Mugabe and members of his inner circle after he won the 2002 presidential election, tainted by allegations of violence, intimidation and electoral fraud.
- AFP