Mrs Brazil Ana De Backer is crowned the first-ever title of Mrs Tourism Queen International 2018 at the world grand finals held at grand ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 30 Aug 2018.
The 26-year-old international model, TV presenter and actress beat 27 other contestants in the inaugural beauty contest for married women aimed at fostering greater communication, friendship, cultural and mutual understanding among delegates from around the world.
“I feel honoured to be elected the first Mrs Tourism Queen International and I am amazed and happy to be able to bring this title to Brazil,” she told Citizen Journalist Malaysia (CJMY).
When asked how she finds about Malaysia, Ana said: “This is my first time in Malaysia and I simply love it. Your country is awesome for uniting different races in such a harmonious way.”
Ana, at 177 cm or 5’ 10“ tall, was crowned by Sean Chia, the president of Miss & Mrs Tourism Queen International Pageant (TQI) and owner/managing director of ERM Marketing.
A health fitness faithful, Ana also bagged the Mrs Fitness subsidiary title.
She stays fit with regular physical activities which include running, swimming, badminton, volleyball, football and biking. As part of her overall fitness routine, she also practices yoga not only to keep herself fit but also to reduce stress.
Ana grew up speaking English, French and Portuguese fluently. She loves doing community outreach based social work. She is the founder of “Light Up”, a social project dedicated to engage children in concepts of environmental preservation and respect of cultural/ethnic differences.
Malaysia was represented by Katrina Loo Siew Ling who won 4th placing.
The runner-ups at the pageant include Mrs Mexico Nancy Cecelia Esparza Tinajero (1st runner-up), Mrs South Africa Lisinda Hodgskin (2nd runner-up), Mrs Malaysia Katrina Loo Siew Ling (3rd runner-up) and Mrs Mongolia Enkhtuya Gantulga (4th runner-up).
Mrs Myanmar Cho Cho Myint @ Honey was crowned Mrs Global Tourism 2018, a special award at the pageant.
Five special award winners for each continent were also announced: Mrs Tourism of Europe 2018 (Mrs Bulgaria Irina Papazova), Mrs Tourism of Africa 2018 (Mrs Ethiopia Fetihya Mohammed Seid), Mrs Tourism of Americas 2018 (Mrs USA Elizabeth J.Cron), Mrs Tourism of Asia (Mrs Singapore Josephine Lee Chain Yee) & Mrs Tourism of Oceania 2018 (Mrs Sri Lanka Nilusha Lakmali Gamage).
There were a total of 12 subsidiary titles awarded.
The 28 contestants between ages 25 and 47, presented themselves in traditional costumes, swim wear and evening wear.
The judges’ panel included experts across various industry. They were Malaysia supermodel Amber Chia, fashion designer Bon Zainal Harun, ERM Marketing general manager Alina Wang Yazhen, philanthropist and corporate leader Dato’ Ruby Khong, corporate personality W Ahmad Wan, Mrs Asia Globe 2013 Isabelle Liow, Yinzi Event and Marketing founder and beauty queen Madam Lim Siew Cheng, Nulnu & Empro founder Prof. Dr. Coco Alex Yeoh, Queen of Beauty With The Heart founder and beauty queen Christte CY Chua, International Ipoh Fashion Week 2017/2018 Ambassador Datin Caroline Wong and We are Family co-founder and beauty queen Dato’ Joneser Teh,
Among the sponsors for the inaugural event were Carplates.my (main sponsor), In Design Studio Florist (official décor), Nico Ng Makeup (official makeup), Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur (official hotel) and The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur (official resort hotel).
The event is organised by Sentinel Pageant which was incorporated to manage and host Mrs Tourism Queen International Pageant.
Founder and director of Sentinel Pageant Jenet Foo said she was happy the international pageant was held in Malaysia for the very first time bringing together delegates from 28 countries, a testament that Malaysia has the ability to host such world-class event.
ERM is the pageant licence holder.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Mrs Tourism Queen International 2018
Winner – Mrs Brazil Ana De Backer
1st Runner Up – Mrs Mexico Nancy Cecelia Esparza Tinajero
2nd Runner Up – Mrs South Africa Lisinda Hodgskin
3rd Runner Up – Mrs Malaysia Katrina Loo Siew Ling
4th Runner Up – Mrs Mongolia Enkhtuya Gantulga
Mrs Global Tourism 2018
Mrs Myanmar Cho Cho Myint @ Honey
Mrs Tourism of Europe 2018
Mrs Bulgaria Irina Papazova
Mrs Tourism of Africa 2018
Mrs Ethiopia Fetihya Mohammed Seid
Mrs Tourism of Americas 2018
Mrs USA Elizabeth J.Cron
Mrs Tourism of Asia
Mrs Singapore Josephine Lee Chain Yee
Mrs Tourism of Oceania 2018
Mrs Sri Lanka Nilusha Lakmali Gamage
Subsidiary Title Winners:
Best National Costume
Mrs Vietnam Vuong Ngoc Loan
Mrs Fitness
Mrs Brazil Ana De Backer
Mrs Energy
Mrs Australia Jodie Anne Pozzan
Mrs Personality
Mrs India Sonia Sarda
Mrs Photogenic
Mrs Netherlands Leonne Oraile-Henkelman
Mrs Elegance
Mrs New Zealand Mrs Kimberley Reade
Mrs Popularity
Mrs Kenya Jamatah
Mrs Best Performance
Mrs Bulgaria Irina Papazova
Mrs Best Catwalk
Mrs Mongolia Enkhtuya Gantulga
Mrs Best Elegance Costume
Mrs Philippines Pearl Cruz Grande
Mrs Best Talent
Mrs Myanmar Cho Cho Myint @ Honey
Mrs Most Charming
Mrs France Noemie Clementine Gonthier Defoy