Guyana will be among several countries participating in the first-ever World Tourism / Miss Model in Montego Bay, Jamaica in May. The competition focuses on tourism and cultural expression through talent and philanthropic work.
To date, the countries that have registered to participate are India, Colombia, San Andres, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Haiti, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, and Guyana. The local committee has already selected two ambassadors to represent Guyana: Paul Charles, a 34-year-old model and dancer who is no stranger to pageantry, and 29-year-old dancer Raveena Mangal.
The local pageant directorate is held by Roshini Persaud-Boodhoo, a familiar face in pageantry. Roshini captured the title of Miss India Guyana in 2011 and went on to win the Miss Congeniality Award in the Miss India Worldwide Pageant. She is choreographer of Jewan Ka Nritya dance group and has been dancing for 26 years.