Supermodels from 30 Asia-Pacific countries will participate in the region’s first International Supermodel Contest to be organised in Thailand between September 12 - 19, 2011 with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Local tourist attractions in Bangkok and Pattaya will be the backdrop highlight of the event, the final round of which will be held on September 19, 2011 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok and then broadcast on TV Channel 9 on September 20, 2011.

Details of the event were announced at a press conference at the TAT by Mrs Jamnong Junnapiya, Executive Director for the East Asia Region, together with Mr Pradit Pradinan, Franchise Owner & Supermodel of Asia Pacific and Miss Chatchomphoo Komolsingsakul, Managing Director of SISI Bangkok, the main sponsors for Supermodel of Asia Pacific 2011.

Mrs Jamnong said the contest will feature supermodels from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Tonga, Vietnam, Thailand and other regional countries.

She said the TAT is supporting the event because of the extensive publicity value from such televised and widely-watched TV events, across all demographic target groups in the Asia-Pacific, now the fastest growing region for the Thai tourism industry.

“In addition to promoting our tourism attractions, we intend to use this event to specifically promote Thailand’s fashion sector and the creative economy, which is playing a major role in the future development of Thai travel and tourism.”

According to the organisers, the contestants will enjoy the wonderful hospitality and tourist attractions Thailand is renowned for, and be hosted in Bangkok and the tourist resort of Pattaya City, where many of the backdrops for the TV programme will be pre-recorded.

The Supermodel of Asia Pacific International Modelling Contest positions itself as the first fashion and cultural exchange project in Thailand to promote the overall development of the Asian fashion industry under the auspices of Asian economic integration and liberalisation.

The theme of the pageant is: “Expanding international cultural and fashion development, and meeting worldwide demands, based on the beauty resources across the world.”

The organisers want this contest to positively portray the young women of the Asia-Pacific region as intelligent, cultured as well as attractive personalities who are conscious of their careers and keen to shape and influence the forces of global and regional change.

According to Mrs Jamnong, “The TAT is expecting that this event will further boost awareness of Thailand as a destination for various cultures, beautiful natural attractions and superb facilities; such as, international airports, accommodation and department stores.”

The TAT is increasingly using such pageants and contests to reach new target customer segments worldwide. On TV, such programmes regularly attract very high ratings, especially amongst women and youth.

In November 2009, the TAT Paris office agreed to sponsor the Miss Belgium 2010 pageant, using Phuket as a backdrop destination.

The contestants, event organisers and accompanying members of the Belgian media were so impressed by the warmth of Thai hospitality, tourist attractions, and professionalism of the Thai support staff that the management team again chose Thailand as a backdrop destination for the Miss Belgium 2011 contest.

In addition, twelve contestants in the Miss Slovakia 2011 beauty contest visited Thailand, Bangkok, Phukerate publicity and attract more visitors from Slovakia and other countries of Eastern Europe.t and Phi Phi Island between January 7 - 21, 2011 as part of efforts by the TAT to generate publicity and attract more visitors from Slovakia and other countries of Eastern Europe.