The 55th Miss World kicked off today at the Sheraton Sanya Resort, the perfect venue with its white sandy beach and luscious tropical gardens.

The �Beach Wear Competition� is the most awaited event in the 55th Miss World program as everyone is given a chance to have a glimpse of the contestants� as they show off this year�s official Miss World beach wear.

The beach wear, which the contestants are wearing is designed by Wilnelia Merced, a Puerto Rican who won the Miss World title in 1975. Being a beauty queen herself, Ms. Merced definitely knows how to highlight the contestants� assets and flawless figures.

Under the beautiful rays of Sunny Sanya, the contestants flaunted the new beach wear collection which comes in 140 different designs that are complimented with shoes and accessories. All the contestants look stunning in their beach wear which comes in a range of colours featuring animal prints with an adventurous safari feel.

For more information on Sheraton Sanya Resort, please visit www.sheraton.com/sanya.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood� Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis�, The Luxury Collection�, Sheraton�, Westin�, Four Points� by Sheraton, and W�. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com. ** Please contact Starwood�s new, toll-free media hotline at (866) 4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for photography or additional information.**

Media Contact: Fiona Chen Email: fiona.chen@sheraton.com Ph: +86 (592) 552 5888