THE REIGNING MISS UNIVERSE ARRIVES IN ST.KITTS

Yes this is correct - St. Kitts!

Miss Universe & the Steel Orchestra. (Photo by Saju N’Galla)

Basseterre, St. Kitts, 5th October, 2007 – St. Kitts continues to welcome the world and the universe to its shores, as the, the reigning Miss Universe Miss Riyo Mori, arrived on the island yesterday.

Mr. Eversley Liburd, CEO of the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend, extended an invitation to the recently crowned Miss Universe® to be a special guest of honour at the event, which takes place from October 5-7, 2007.

Miss Universe warmly accepted and plans were put in place by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority for her journey to the island and her experience there. She was greeted and welcomed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Richard Skerritt who introduced her to Calypso Rose, who arrived on island simultaneously. Calypso Rose is due to perform at the launch of National Carnival(Saturday 6th October). Both Miss Universe and Calypso Rose were presented with extravagant bouquets by Minister Skerritt.

Within hours of her arrival Miss Universe, attended a Welcome Reception in her honour sponsored by Marshalls Restaurant, Beaumont Park and Driftwood. In attendance were local dignitaries, designers, models and the management team of the 2nd annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend. Miss Universe was all smiles as she mingled with her fellow guests and gladly took pictures with those who asked. She made time to take a memorable photo with a young group who provided wonderful music on their steel pans during the night.

Hon. Prime Minister Denzil Douglas & Miss Universe, Riyo Mori at a Welcome Reception held at Marhsalls, Frigate Bay.(Photo by Saju N’Galla)

Minister R. Skerritt & Miss Universe, Riyo Mori in the VIP Lounge at the R.L.B Airport (Photo by Garth Archibald)
Today Miss Universe will receive a full tour of the island and gain first-hand knowledge of St. Kitts’ scenic natural beauty, rich history and genuinely friendly people. This afternoon, she will speak to approximately 200 teenagers about her causes, which include raising HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues.

“We’re pleased to welcome the reigning Miss Universe to St. Kitts,” commented Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture for St. Kitts & Nevis. “As a symbol of success and strength for women across the world, she is certain to inspire and educate our youth. We hope that she will come to love our island during her stay with us and want to come back again.”

Riyo Mori expressed how happy she was to be on St. Kitts and in the Caribbean and was overwhelmed by the hospitality she received on her arrival and throughout. She finds the island breathtaking and has fallen in love with the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Arrival of Miss Universe

Miss Universe, Riyo Mori & Mr. Eversley Liburd, CEO of the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend(Photo by Garth Archibald)

Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe on May 28, 2007 at the age of 20. Hailing from Shizuoka, Japan, she left home at the age of 16 to study abroad in Canada and reached New York at 19 years old. Through her travels and studies, Riyo has been able to master adapting to different environments, the importance of learning foreign languages and the need for intercultural understanding. She aspires to use her reign as Miss Universe to spread a message of empowerment and independence to women all across the globe.

The 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend is part of the island’s Tourism Awareness Month of activities. St. Kitts Fashion Weekend will include a concert, food fair, wine tasting, beach event, farewell reception and the star-studded runway fashion show at the St. Kitts Marriott Event Center featuring fine clothing by designers from St. Kitts, the Caribbean and the world. Additional details for the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend will be confirmed in the coming months. Visit www.stkittsfashionweekend.com for the most current information.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as water sports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at St. Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

Source: SKN Vibes