Miss World 2025: Brand Telangana image expected to get huge facelift

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is optimistic that hosting the Miss World pageant throughout May will establish the state as a prominent destination on the global tourism map, attracting visitors and investors worldwide.

At Thursday's pre-launch event of Miss World in Hyderabad, State Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said that the month-long venue and associated events will promote the Tourism Policy 2025-30.

The government plans to invite potential investors from 50 marquee companies to discuss investment opportunities across 27 defined rural Telangana tourism circuits.

Officials expect increased tourism to stimulate economic activity, creating jobs and boosting revenue for local businesses. The event will engage weavers from the textile and handloom sectors along with stakeholders from the hospitality industry and ancillary sectors such as cab drivers, providing employment and supporting local business growth.

Beauty queens from 140 countries are expected to participate in the pageant. The reigning Miss World, Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic, winner of Miss World 2024, who also participated in pre launch event expressed excitement about visiting Telangana.

Her tour to Telangana began two days ago with a visit to the majestic Yadagirigutta temple, where she offered special prayers to the presiding deity. Krystyna also visited the iconic Chowmahalla Palace and Falaknuma Palace, showcasing the city's rich historical and cultural heritage. The 72nd Miss World Festival will take place in Telangana from May 7 to 31.

“The exposure and partnerships generated by Miss World will have a lasting impact on Telangana's tourism industry, driving sustainable growth for years to come. Strengthening Telangana’s Global Brand Image By hosting an event of this stature, Telangana will reinforce its image as a progressive, culturally rich, and tourist-friendly state. The event will serve as a soft power tool, showcasing the state’s warmth, hospitality, and boundless potential to the world.

"The tagline ‘Telangana, Zarur Aana’ (Telangana, A Must-Visit) will resonate globally, inviting tourists to experience a land where beauty is reflected in its land, people, culture, and tradition,” said tourism minister Krishna Rao.

Tourism secretary, Smita Sabharwal said that Telangana folk and tribal dances and culture will be on full display during the openiing ceremony scheduled on May 10.

“Hyderabad, often dubbed as the “Tollywood capital,” is a thriving hub for the Indian film industry. Hosting the Miss World event will further elevate Hyderabad’s status as a filming and entertainment destination, attracting filmmakers, celebrities, and media from around the world. This exposure can catalyse the growth of film tourism, with iconic locations like Ramoji Film City and Golconda Fort gaining international recognition. We will use this event to push the narrative of Telangana rural landscape as a hub for film tourism,” added Smita Sabharwal.

She was confident that sacred sites like UNESCO recognised Ramappa Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple, and Mecca Masjid, alongside architectural marvels like Golconda Fort, Charminar, and Falaknuma Palace, will captivate a global audience.

She also said that the event provides a unique platform to showcase Telangana’s rich cultural tapestry, including its handloom legacy such as Pochampally, Gollabhama and Gadwal sarees, traditional art forms like Cheriyal masks and paintings, Karimnagar silver filigre, and delectable cuisine featuring Hyderabadi biryani, Telangana pachipulusu, and more.

Collaborations between local artisans and the pageant, such as fashion showcases featuring Telangana handlooms, have been planned which will not only promote these crafts but also create economic opportunities for rural communities, aligning with the state’s sustainable tourism goals.