Ecuador to host next year’s Miss Universe pageant

Ecuador’s tourism minister Ivonne Baki said her country will play host to the 2004 Miss Universe beauty contest, a piece of news broken to her by Donald Trump, the pageant’s organizer. Ms. Baki, who headed the Ecuadorian delegation to the event recently held in Panama, made clear her government is to sign a contract with planners, as well as defray $5 million for the organization of the gorgeous gathering.

Ms. Baki added Ecuadorian president Lucio Gutierrez will form a commission charged with the contest’s organization. Quito, alongside a number of cities and towns across the country, will host the parades and presentations of the world’s most beautiful women.

Ecuador’s tourism undersecretary Lourdes Rodriguez pointed out no budget estimates have been made yet, though she went on to say the municipality of Quito will pick up the tab as far as organization and production costs are concerned.