Submitted by Melissa West
West Virginia has new National Queens. The World’s Miss Tourism National Pageant took place in Nashville, Tennessee, from July 31 to August 4, 2025.
Miss Tourism Pageants began in November 1998 with a virtual event that year. The inaugural live pageant in 2004 crowned the first All American Miss Tourism queen.
Miss Tourism is a title awarded in recognition of achievement within the field. It is when you enter the spotlight and take charge. The moment you become the role model you once looked up to. Miss Tourism fosters confidence. Where passion fuels the purpose. It is an environment that offers opportunities for development, leadership, and support within an organization that recognizes individual contributions.
Miss Tourism provides a platform where young women develop leadership skills, build confidence, establish lasting legacies, and acquire essential tools for success both on stage and in their personal lives.
Introducing Ketsia Dotson, your 2026 International World’s Tourism Preteen. Ketsia is from Wood County. She is the daughter of Marvin and Heather Dotson.
Maika Whaley, a Tyler County resident, was honored with the title of Miss Tourism Grand Queen 2026 and secured the position of first runner-up in the Mrs. Division.
Grace Seitz of Mason County placed 4th Runner-Up in the Preteen division. She is the daughter of Rachel and Jeffrey Seitz of Mason County.
April Slater is a 2019 graduate of Roane County High School. April won the All-American Miss 2026 title. For her state costume she represented Colonel Ruby Bradley.
Melissa West, a resident of Calhoun County, was crowned World’s Mrs Tourism 2026 and Miss Tourism Role Model Beauty 2026. For State Costume, Melissa represented the WV state flower, the Rhododendron. Melissa is married to Tracy West; she is the daughter of the late Denver and Kay Nicholas.
Emma Howell, a resident of Calhoun County, received the distinction of Second Runner-Up in the Classic Ms division. For state costume, Emma discussed the WV jellyfish. She is married to Jerry Howell. She is the daughter of the late Denver and Kay Nicholas.
Kathi Hill a Fayette County resident received the Legacy Queen Honor.
Kimberly Rainey, a Mason County resident attended the pageant to participate in her final walk as All American Classic Ms 2025 and assist in the crowning of the new 2026 Queens.
If you are interested in becoming a Miss Tourism Queen, please reach out the WV Miss Tourism Queen Mentor Melissa West at winterfawn2001@yahoo.com or call/text 681-533-7345.
