By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Guam Visitors Bureau is now recruiting contestants for the 6th Annual Miss Guam Tourism Pageant.
According to GVB, the Miss Guam Tourism pageant is important in the bureau’s promotional work and pageant winners are among the bureau’s most important assets.
“The purpose of Miss Guam Tourism is not only to have a warm and friendly face for our tourism efforts but also for GVB to have an ambassador of goodwill. So wherever country GVB visits to promote our island, there is always a friendly face representing Guam,” GVB general manager Gerry Perez said.
Contestants will be a part of the glamour, grace and pageantry that is the Miss Guam Tourism Pageant, while competing for cash prizes and the honor of representing Guam in up to 30 off-island trips.
In addition, there are opportunities for celebrity endorsements, plus wardrobe, makeup, jewelry and gifts, among other things.
GVB said contestants are expected to be poised, polite and possess general knowledge of Guam’s history, culture, geography and visitor industry while being able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Contestants will also compete for cash prizes, the honor of representing Guam in GVB’s overseas promotions, and professional fees for work performed at home and abroad.
Besides the top honor of Miss Guam Tourism, other honors include Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Native Costume, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, as well as 1st and 2nd Runners Up winners who may potentially be called on to represent Guam on various occasions.
Pageant requirements are as follows:
* Single, female;
* 18-25 years of age;
* Minimum height of 5’3”;
* Resident of Guam for at least two years;
* A high school graduate; and
* Has a valid U.S. passport.
The Miss Guam Tourism committee will give all participants the training and materials needed to compete in the upcoming pageant. Applications are available at the GVB office and will be posted online at www.visitguam.org at a later date.
The 2007 Miss Guam Tourism Pageant is planned for March 24, 2007.