The Karram-Speid Auditorium came alive on Saturday December 8, 2012 for the Tourism United Nations Pageants Grand Coronations Show.

A total of 25 contestants, from Jamaica, Bahamas, Guyana, New Zealand, Bolivia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Europe, North America, and Belize were presented on the night in the categories of Mr TEEN, Miss TEEN, Mrs, Miss and Mr Tourism United Nations.

The pageant is aimed at identifying the world’s best tourism cause ambassadors, who have the skills, talents and personalities best suited to promote their respective countries in the furtherance of tourism, international goodwill and cultural harmony.

There was a pre-judging done prior to the coronations show that narrowed down the talent competitors and those contestants that would participate in the costume competition.

From the talent competition the contestants were not judged separately based on gender but rather overall for talent. The males dominated the top positions with Mr Guyana Tourism placing third, Mr Jamaica Tourism coming in second and the most talented of the bunch was given to Mr Bahamas Tourism, who captivated the audience’s attention with a superb theatrical dance that illustrated the ills of slavery and the emancipation of the slaves.

The costume competition followed and lived up to expectations as a beautiful array of colours and immaculate artwork swarmed the stage. Miss Nigeria swept the female category for best costume with her carefully crafted attire.

Unlike traditional pageants, the tourism United Nations pageants allowed the contestants to showcase their personal style and the contestants also showcased high fashion wear from their personal wardrobes and others from designers.

The evening wear competition was the final one which saw Mrs Bolivia taking the top position for the best gown and Mr Bahamas swept the male section for best evening wear.

Leading up to the announcement of the overall winners the sectional prizes were awarded. People’s choice ambassador, who was chosen by online voters, went to Miss New Zealand, Anita Prasad, Mrs Bolivia, Isabel Mencho, came out on top as most photogenic, Miss Congeniality went to Miss Nigeria, Gbemisola Shotade.

When it came down to the announcement of the winners the audience seemed to have made the decisions for themselves and waited anxiously for their predictions to be confirmed.

Miss TEEN Tourism Caribbean, Allyah Beneby, won the title Miss TEEN Tourism United Nations 2012, Ms Tourism United Nations 2012 went to Miss Europe, Desiree Ambriiee, Mrs Bolivia, Isabel Mencho is Mrs Tourism United Nations 2012, Mr TEEN United Nations 2012 is Mr TEEN Jamaica, Robert Douglas.

Miss Tourism United Nations second runner up Miss Caribbean Tourism, Kristina Beckford, first runner-up Miss Jamaica Tourism, Kimberly Isree. The runners-up for Mr Tourism United Nations are Mr North America second runner-up and first runner-up Mr Guyana, Paul Charles.

Miss Tourism United Nations 2012 went to Miss Nigeria, Gbemisola Shotade and Mr Tourism United Nations 2012 went to Keeshan Sands, Mr Bahamas. Mr and Miss Tourism United Nations 2012 expressed to TEENage that they were very happy with their win and were eagerly looking forward to their tasks ahead.