Miss Czech Republic, Zuzara Putnarova, has won the Miss Tourism World beauty pageant.

She came tops in the glamorous event by beating 85 other contestants at a colorful ceremony held at the Harare International Conference Center on Saturday night.

The first runner-up slot went to Miss Spain, Raquel Babelcia, while reigning Miss Zimbabwe Oslie Muringai was the second runner-up.

Miss Ukraine, Alexandra Oliynick, was third runner-up followed by Miss Nigeria, Shirley Aghoste.

Zimbabwe also scored another high, when it was voted the best venue and given the right to host the prestigious event yet again in 2006 .

The event was graced by, among other dignitaries, the First Lady, Grace Mugabe, Minister of Environment and Tourism Francis Nhema and organizer of the Miss Zimbabwe pageant, Kiki Divaris.

Zimbabwe won the right to host the pageant earlier this year in the face of stiff competition from Thailand and China, after it met the selection criteria for the prestigious event.

The southern African country received three of the selection committee's votes while Thailand and China each received two votes, making it the first time the pageant has been held in Africa in its 20-year history.

The beauty contest, whose main thrust is to promote tourism worldwide, "particularly in those parts of the world in dire need of such promotion," has given Zimbabwe's tourism a golden opportunity to flourish.

During the run-up to Saturday's finals, the 87 contestants toured different tourist attractions across the country including the Victoria Falls and national parks with most of them pledging to market Zimbabwe when they return to their respective countries.

Contrary to adverse reports from some sections of the international media, those who participated and organized the event were unanimous that Zimbabwe was a safe tourism destination.

President of Miss Tourism World John Singh remarked when the first batch of contestants arrived in the country that "Zimbabwe is not what sections of the media say. It is a peaceful country."

"Many detractors were surprised when they saw that the event was becoming a reality and they started believing that it would succeed after our arrival in Zimbabwe."

"The involvement of these hundred countries helps Zimbabwe's tourism sector since governments and commercial sectors are working together," he said.