On Sunday, September 24, Miss Rwanda, Elsa Iradukunda, flew to China for the 67th edition of the Miss World 2017 where the winner will be crowned on November 18.

This year, Miss World will have a new format, which will put greater emphasis on social media across the planet throughout the 28 days leading up to the final.

Iradukunda says that she is prepared enough for the global contest and is ready to bring the crown home.

"I have been marketing myself through social media platforms and working on improving my communication skills to compete with the rest of the contestants,” she said.

Some 130 contestants are expected to take part in the beauty pageant.

Dieudonne Ishimwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Inspiration Back Up Limited, says that Rwanda’s participation in the Miss World beauty pageant for the second time is a great opportunity to market the country.

He also said that even though the contest is tough, he believes that Iradukunda is well prepared and will not disappoint.

Miss World 2017 will be the 67th edition of the Miss World pageant, and will be held on November 18, 2017 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre, Sanya, China PR. Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico will crown her successor at the end of the event.

Miss Iradukunda will not go straight to China. She is making a stop-over in Europe for her "Made-in-Rwanda” tour, aimed at promoting Rwandan made products on the global market. During Miss Rwanda 2017, her main project was about promoting the Made in Rwanda campaign.

Her first stop is Germany where she will embark on several meetings aimed promoting Rwandan products before she heads to Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. After several weeks in Europe, she will head straight to China.

At Kigali International Airport, she was seen off by her parents, Miss Rwanda 2016 Jolly Mutesi, friends and relatives.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw