"The Miss World in Bali has received good responses from many countries so the number of participants this year will be higher than last year," she said.
The number of participants is expected to increase to 130 this year from 116 last year, she said.
She said that a number of countries such as Brunei Darussalam which have never participated in the contest have confirmed a plan to take part in the event.
"I think they are interested in joining the Miss World 2013 because it will be held in Bali," Ines said.
She expressed hope that the Indonesian people will support the world-class beauty contest which will indirectly promote the country`s tourism on a global scale.
She said the immediate impact that could be felt at the time of holding the contest is the rising number of tourist arrivals like what Mongolia did in 2012.
"The Miss World 2012 increased the number of tourist arrivals in Mongolia by up to 300 percent at that time. I hope the Miss World 2013 in Bali will increase the number of tourist arrivals on the Island," she said. ***4***
Reporting by I Gusti Ketut Agung W
(A061/S012)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
