DOT: Talks still ongoing for Miss Universe hosting

MANILA, Philippines — A Department of Tourism official on Monday said the office is still working out the Miss Universe hosting with  organizers.

“We have a good chance of hosting it,” Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro said in a press briefing.

“It's just me and the Miss Universe Organization trying to iron out a few details,” she added.

De Castro said the DOT would announce the outcome of the negotiations in due time.

In mid-April, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo also confirmed the department is working to have the Miss Universe pageant held in the country in 2019.

She also said that President Rodrigo Duterte had talked about staging the Miss Universe pageant in Boracay once it reopens to drive more tourists to the Philippines.

READ: ‘Shortened Boracay closure not prompted by Miss Universe plans’

The world-famous tourism destination is temporarily closed to tourists. The closure which took effect last April 26 would last for six months to pave way for its rehabilitation.

Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe pageant in January 2017. The Tourism department has yet to release data on how the hosting affected tourist arrivals to the Philippines.