Miss Brazil poses for a photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

This year, the contest finally announced it will scrap the bikini competition, which has been part of the pageant since 1951. Julia Morley, chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, said in July: "I really don't need to see women walking up and down in their bikinis. It doesn't do anything for the woman. And it doesn't do anything for any of us."

In addition, the Miss World contest will have a live telecast from Sanya at almost the same time as the 64th Miss Universe in Las Vegas. This will be the first time since their inception that both pageants will have a back-to-back broadcast.