Kualalumpur (ANTARA News) - Indonesia won the best national costume award in the 15th Miss Tourism International (MTI) 2011 finals in Kualalumpur, on Saturday night.

El John Pageants General Manager Vera Damayanti said on the sidelines of the event Miss Tourism Indonesia 2011 Melissa Putri Latar who represented Indonesia in the finals was dressed in costume of South Sumatra nuance.

"The costume was designed by fashion designer Deny Malik and Febry Collection," she said.

In the finals, Melissa, along with tourism misses from Australia, China, Zimbabwe, and Mongolia had earlier been named top five nominees for the best talent show category.

At the event, Aileen Gabriella Robinson of Malaysia was crowned Miss Tourism International 2011.

"Aileen`s smartness, beauty and personality meet what we are expecting in tourism promotion," Datuk Danny Ooi, executive director and founder of D`Touch International, said.

The crown was the first to go to Malaysia since the event was for the first time held in 1994.

Commenting on Aileen`s election as Miss Tourism International 2011, Melissa said the Malaysian finalist deserved to receive the crown because of her consistent contribution to tourism development.

Melissa said she would always be consistent in assisting the development of the Indonesian tourism industry.

"I will go to Germany to help promote culinary and natural tourism. I am proud of Bangka`s natural tourism potentials which are very beautiful," said the 22-year-old native of Maluku. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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