PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: The 12th Miss Tourism International pageant is back once again, and 45 girls from all around the world will be competing for five titles come Dec 31.

Five beauties will be crowned with the titles - Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, Miss Tourism Metropolitan International, Miss Tourism Global, and Miss Cosmopolitan International - during the World Finals at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa.

Miss Tourism International president and franchise owner Datuk Danny Ooi said this year features new participants including contestants from Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco and Montenegro.

The pageant's theme this year is "Green the Earth", aimed at raising awareness on threats to the environment.

The contestants, many of whom are already here, will also visit the historic city of Malacca.