PETALING JAYA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Aileen Gabriella Robinson defeated 10 other international contestants in the grand final to be crowned Miss Tourism International (MTI) 2011 at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, here Saturday night.

Robinson (right), 22, was one of the 54 contestants representing their respective countries.

Reigning Miss Tourism International Nathalie Den Dekker from the Netherlands handed over the crown to the new queen.

The crowning of Miss Tourism International was telecast live over RTM1, Malaysia's national television, and witnessed by thousands of revellers at Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square), prior to the 2012 countdown.

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, the Miss Tourism International is unique in the sense since it is the only New Year Eve's Pageant to be held in the world and it also culminates to the biggest countdown, with delegates from 54 countries welcoming a brand new year.

Also present were Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Maglin Dennis D'Cruz, President and Owner of MTI Danny Ooi and Chairman of Sunway Group Dr Jeffrey Cheah.

The judges for the final were Malaysian Food Ambassador Chef Wan, supermodel Amber Chia, former Miss Malaysia Queen of Tourism 1996 Zoee Tan, artist and music lecturer Syafinaz Selamat and producer and choreographer David Kort.

The Miss Tourism International is a platform to promote tourism for the hosting country and at the same time to promote peace, goodwill, and friendship among participating countries.

The 18-day event saw delegates engaging in many promotional and charity activities. (photoBERNAMA)

MALAYSIA