Miss Tourism Taita Taveta Beauty Pageant has been launched to boost development in Taita Taveta County by promoting activities that best tell its unique treasures – its people, culture, scenic attractions, wildlife and investment opportunities.
The Pageant whose theme is Our Beauty, Our Pride, Our Heritage will also be used to highlight the plight of women and the girl-child in the county.
Miss Tourism Taita Taveta County Edition – a franchise of Miss Tourism Kenya – has been created as part of re-alignment of the Pageant to conform with the new devolved governance system in Kenya.
“This is among the first concrete ideas that Taita Taveta County has away from the politics and it will be something that can easily showcase what our county has to offer to tourists and investors,” said Ms. Faith Kavata, Miss Tourism Taita Taveta County administrator.
Kavata expressed hope that the Pageant will produce a girl worth the face of Taita Taveta and capable of promoting the county.
The maiden pageant will comprise a series of events including road shows, free medical camps, and public education day that will culminate in the grand finale to be held on Saturday November 2 at Voi Wildlife Lodge.
Kavata announced announced auditions for the Pageant will be held between October 5th and 7th to select 20 contestants, five from each of the four constituencies of Taita Taveta County.
“Online registration begins immediately on Miss Tourism Kenya website and we are targeting more than 2,500 students and young professionals aged between 21 and 38 years old to register for auditions,” she said.
The winner of Miss Tourism Taita Taveta County Edition will compete with 46 other County Finalists at the Miss Tourism Kenya 2013 Finals on November 30th, 2013.
The panel of judges will look at the models demeanor, beauty, public speaking and personality among other qualities when selecting winners.
The Miss Tourism Taita Taveta Pageant has so far attracted General Motors East Africa (GMEA) as a sponsor. It is targeting more than Sh 3.7million shillings to make the event a success.
Speaking at the launch yesterday, GMEA Managing Director, Rita Kavashe said the motor vehicle assembly through its brand, Chevrolet, will support the search for Miss Tourism Taita
Taveta as it offers opportunity for the youth to grow intellectually and contribute to development of their counties.
“Chevrolet is a spirited and youthful brand full of energy and Miss Tourism Kenya is all about intellectually beauty, which is associated with the young generation,” she said.
Taita Taveta boasts of several tourist attraction sites including the Tsavo National Park and several forts built by the British forces along the Tsavo River in defence of the Von Lettow Vorbeck’s intrusion from the south during World War 1.
It also has natural resources and a huge potential in real estate development in Voi town, which is the largest town in the county.
