Organisers of this year's edition of Miss Tourism Bulawayo have finished auditioning models, setting the stage for what could turn out to be a memorable pageant.

From a cast of 50 models, the regional selectors cut the number to 20 who have now started rehearsing for the final showdown on September 27 at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel.

This year's pageant would run concurrently with the re-branded Travel Expo now known as the Hlanganani/Sanganai Zimbabwe World and Tourism Fair.

Miss Tourism Zimbabwe regional co-ordinator Sarah Mpofu said although there were still four slots up for grabs they are happy with the quality of models selected for the finals.

"We have been holding auditions for the past few weeks but we still have at least four slots to fill," she said. "So we are still accepting late entries for those who failed to audition."

A preliminary show had been planned to give the judges more time to come up with the best models to represent the region in the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe finals, but Mpofu said this would depend on the availability of time.

Mpofu urged Bulawayo residents to come in their thousands in support of the pageant.

Bulawayo has dominated the Miss Zimbabwe title since the turn of the millennium, with Oslie Muringai, Lorraine Maphala and Caroline Marufu winning the title in succession between 2004 and 2007.

Last year, history was made when United Kingdom-based Cynthia Muvirimi became the first Diasporan to clinch the Miss Zimbabwe Tourism title, with reigning Miss Bulawayo Tourism, Sibusisiwe Dube, being voted second princess.