GUESTS staying at the Luxury Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay, St Ann, on Sunday were given a treat by 17 of the 20 finalists in the Miss Universe Jamaica beauty pageant.

The hotel played hosts to the females, who turned heads with a swimsuit parade which was well-received by the hotel’s guests and staff.

Prior to the swimsuit parade the contestants were feted by the hotel. They were also given a lesson in wines while sampling some of the world’s most famous brands. They were later treated to lunch and engaged in other activities throughout the day.

Fabian Brown is Bahia Principe’s director of internal organisation and corporate social responsibility.

“It was certainly a pleasure for us to host the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant. the contestants were just wonderful. This is our second time doing this. We did it during the height of the [novel coronavirus] pandemic when the pageant was staged virtually, and now we are so happy that we can do it with the contestants interacting with our guests and staff,” Brown disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“Of course, you know Bahia Principe is the place where happiness is the experience so we were more than happy to say yes to the opportunity to have our Jamaican talent and beauty on display. The ladies were involved in activities in our entertainment showcase for the day. Strutting their stuff across our poolside was a hit; it was a beautiful opportunity and our guests enjoyed it immensely… This pageant is really about taking our sustainability programme to another level. As a brand, we are big on sustainability in tourism, and a part of our sustainability is how we integrate with our culture, heritage, talent and our people on a whole. And this is just one beautiful opportunity in that realm to elevate the Bahia Principe brand in Jamaica,” he continued.

The grand coronation of the Miss Universe Jamaica beauty and wellness pageant is scheduled for this Saturday, September 3, at the AC Hotel Kingston at 8:30 pm.

A beauty, fashion and wellness expo will precede the event from 12 noon to 5:30 pm.