Indonesia's Bali to host 2013 Miss World pageant

Jakarta, April 26 (Xinhua-ANI): Bali, the most popular tourist destination island in Indonesia, will host Miss World pageant, one of the oldest major international beauty pageants in the world, next year, local media reported on Thursday.

Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika said that Bali province capital, Denpasar, will be the host for the event, following a meeting with a co-chairperson of the Miss World Organization, Julia Morley, and Miss World 2011, Ivian Sarco, on Wednesday.

At least 131 beauty queens across the world will participate in the event.

"We feel honored to be chosen as the host for the pageant. Bali will try to improve herself to get ready ahead of the pageant, " Pastika said as quoted by the Kompas.com. The governor said he hoped that hosting the event would boost Bali's reputation and tourism.

The founder of the Miss Indonesia foundation, Liliana Tanoesoedibyo, and Miss Indonesia 2011 Astrid Ellena also attended the meeting.

Astrid, who represented Indonesia at the pageant last year, made it to the top 15 -- the highest spot Indonesia has ever reached after taking part for six times. (Xinhua-ANI)