Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray wants to further promote Mindanao

If Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray becomes a Philippine tourism ambassador, she would highly recommend tourists to visit Mindanao.

The Pinay beauty queen believes that that southern region of the Philippines has more to offer to further attract local and foreign tourists.

“I know there's a lot of hesitancy especially when I was abroad, people were quite hesitant about Mindanao because of recent news.

“Although it should take proper precautions in certain areas, there's such a beautifully rich culture in Mindanao that I think people don't see because it's overshadowed with all these negativities.

“But only if we could share with the world that there's such a beautifully unique aspect of Philippines.

“I feel like it's such a pity that it's going unnoticed,” the 25-year-old beauty queen said during the media conference prepared for her homecoming festivities yesterday, February 20.

As she continued, Catriona also stressed about promoting the unpopular attractions in the country to strengthen tourism.

She said, “I know people really have interest in our country because of our beautiful people, because of how our people are so warm and hospitable and very family-oriented and we make everyone feels like they're like part of our family.

“But I feel like we have so much to show in our history, in our crafts and the things that we make that are unique to us and found nowhere else in the world.

“I feel like I would sell it or present it in a way where I would encourage people to find their own adventure in the Philippines--not take the beaten path and kind of go off the trail and have their own unique experience of different places in the Philippines, and come back with a unique experience that they could share.

“You know, maybe with a collective conversation people would find out about the Philippines that other people would never know.”

WATCH: Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray gets teary-eyed at her homecoming press conference

Catriona said she learned a lot about Philippine culture and heritage while doing her research for her Miss Universe bid.

She used what she learned to create costumes that were uniquely identified to the Philippines.

So, when asked what she would want to change in the Philippines, Catriona replied, “I would further develop our provinces and share more about what we have to offer--not just in the publicized places like Boracay, Manila, and Palawan.

“But, you know, all the different places that we have in the Philippines--in Mindanao, in Visayas--where people might not necessarily think of to visit or not take interest in.

“When I was travelling around and researching for my national costume, I just fell in love with how rich and beautiful our culture is.”

Because of her discoveries, Catriona said, “I feel like, if people would only know how much we have to offer, they would see how unique Philippines is and they would have a reunited passion or desire to explore the Philippines--not just in a touristy way, but to come in full appreciation what the Philippines is as a nation and what we have to offer.”

IN PHOTOS: Welcome home, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray!