PH’s Miss Tourism International hosting will finally push through

China’s hosting of the 2026 Miss Tourism International pageant will not push through. Instead, the global tilt is moving to the Philippines for its 30th edition this year.

The news was delivered by talent manager and entrepreneur Arnold Vegafria, president of ALV Pageant Circle, at a press conference held at the vestibule of Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10.

“We are very excited to announce that we have signed a contract with Miss Tourism International. And what better way to celebrate this strategic alliance than by hosting the 30th edition of the globally acclaimed pageant, which also marks the very first time that it will be held in the country,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Vegafria acquired the international pageant’s Philippine franchise earlier this year, after the Malaysia-based organization parted ways with the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant.

FEATURED STORIES

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

READ: Miss Tourism International parts ways with Mutya ng Pilipinas

Since its inception in 1994, the Miss Tourism International pageant has been getting its Filipino delegates from the Mutya ng Pilipinas stable.

The Philippines is the best-performing country in the Miss Tourism International pageant with a total of six Mutya ng Pilipinas queens bringing home the crown, and several others receiving subsidiary titles.

Last year’s competition was supposed to be hosted in Davao City, with the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization on top of the preparations. But it was pulled out months before the supposed staging.

Article continues after this advertisement

Miss Tourism International President Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi personally flew to Manila in January 2025 for the announcement of what was supposed to be the Philippines’ first time hosting his pageant.

But in May 2025, he returned to the country for a press gathering where he announced that Davao will not be able to host his competition because the facilities were not yet ready. He then moved the pageant’s staging back to Malaysia.

Article continues after this advertisement

It was also announced last year that the Miss Tourism International would have its first-ever staging outside of Malaysia for the 2026 edition, and China was supposed to host the competition. But it also did not push through.

At the 2025 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, seasoned national contestant Andrea Endicio was crowned as the Philippines’ supposed delegate to the 2026 Miss Tourism International pageant. 

But the international organization found a new licensee in Vegafria’s ALV Pageant Circle, and a new Miss Tourism International Philippines was crowned at his Miss World Philippines pageant in February 2026.

Davaoeña flight attendant Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, one of the frotnrunners in the national competition, received the Miss Tourism International Philippinea crown.

But in June, ALV Pageant Circle reshuffled the titles from among the earlier crowned queens, and even declared new titleholders. Lorejo’s international assignment was affected.

Pageant veteran Michelle Arceo, originally crowned as Miss Tourism World Philippines at the 2025 Miss Grand Philippines pageant, received a new title as Miss Tourism International Philippines.

Lorejo was crowned Miss Global Philippines by reigning Miss Global Nguyen Dinh Nhu Var, replacing Valerie West who originally received the national title after the 2026 Miss World Philippines pageant.

With the changes, Lorejo has been designated to represent the Philippines at the Miss Global pageant in Thailand in October, but details of Arceo’s international deployment had yet to be announced at the time.

And now it can be told. Arceo need not fly overseas this time for her quest to clinch an international title. 

She finished second at the inaugural Miss Environment International pageant held in India in 2022. In 2024, she competed at the Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia where she finished as second runner-up.

Arceo will welcome about 70 delegates from around the world to the Philippines later this year, and help shine the global spotlight on the country’s tourist attractions.

“This will also be a good opportunity for us to share with our first-time visitors all the beauty and grandeur of our world-renowned tourist destinations, as well as showcasing our unique culture and heritage–including our food, fashion, music as well as our bustling medical tourism industry,” Vegafria said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The 2026 Miss Tourism International coronation night will take place at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport World Resorts in Pasay City on Dec. 15. /ra