"I think it is a good idea, due to the fact that the competition has not been recognised or given the support that it should be getting from the Jamaican public, even though the production and ladies entering are great," she explained.

"Hopefully, when it goes to London, if the reception is positive and it is highlighted in the media, then people in Jamaica will appreciate it more because Jamaicans tend to not acknowledge things until they are recognised elsewhere."

With an aim to unite the world through beauty and tourism, the competition formerly coined Miss Commonwealth Beauty Pageant, was later changed to Miss Global International after it began to receive subscriptions by countries outside of the Commonwealth.

Now in its fourth year, the Miss Global International is now being endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board and has been hailed by pageant judge, Seragh Lakasingh, "as a vehicle which has meant a lot to the tourist industry, as contestants, relatives and friends have come to the island (as a result of the competition), thus boosting our tourism product".

The 2008 staging has been franchised to WGI Limited, whose marketing manager, Leon Williams, has stated that they will be vigorously marketing the pageant on local and international levels this year.

The Miss Global Jamaica pageant will begin on May 3 with a sashing and elimination show at the Kool Runnings Water Park in Negril. Then contestants will make appearances islandwide before the Grand Coronation Show on June 1.