Licensed PH pilot crowned Mr. Universe Tourism 2023

Filipino-Dutch Erik Lennart Visser was crowned Mr. Universe Tourism during a competition held in Bali, Indonesia recently. Vietnam's Huynh Vo Hoang Son and Spain's Francisco Jose Merida Moyano were first and second runners-up, respectively.

Visser, 24, is a licensed private pilot and a graduate of psychology from Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

During the final Q&A portion, Visser was asked what he could do to improve the tourism industry in the Philippines.

Visser answered: “When staying here in Bali, I learned so many things. After being home for so long in my beautiful country, the Philippines, I learned that there are ways to promote tourism more than what we have to offer. For example, here in Bali, we're hosting Mr. Universe Tourism 2023 together with the tourism officials of Indonesia. And that's something we can bring to the Philippines. We have to understand that the help of foreigners, the help of tourists, can help promote the Philippines in so many ways - it can help the economy, it can help the people, and it can help the country as a whole."

Visser was also named best in formal wear.

On his preparations for the pageant, Visser said: "For the past three years, I've been waiting for this pageant to happen. And because of the pandemic, it was slowed down. I'm so thankful it finally pushed through. I'm so grateful. As to the preparations, I have been working out, and I also do a little bit of dieting. We also do a few Q&A practices. So that's about it."

Visser also mentioned his sacrifices for the pageant. "I have a little less sleep just preparing. And of course less quality time with family and friends. I was busy preparing to do projects, and gigs to hype up the moment."

The new pageant king was hoping that the next edition of the Mr. Universe Tourism Competition would still be held in Bali.

"There are so many beautiful places around the world, and I've traveled to quite a few. But I truly think that Bali is the perfect place. It has so much to offer. And on the 9th to 10th day we've been here, we haven't even seen a quarter of it, even a fraction of it. So

I'm sure there are so many places to go, to explore, and that's for our next batch of candidates to see. Hopefully, I get to see it with our next batch of candidates next year," he also said.

The pride of Cebu City who stands 6'3 is a certified beach lover. Let's learn more about him:

1) Celebrity crush - 'Liza Soberano' 2) What would you do if you had US$1 million? - 'Buy one million one-dollar meals for street children.'

3) What are your personal goals? - 'To become a pilot someday, but not before I pursue my modeling career.'

4) What do you find attractive in a woman? - 'Her teeth and the way she laughs.'

5) At what age you lost your innocence? - '16 or something.'

6) What should every man try at least once in his life? - 'To travel the whole world.'

7) What is the best gift you have ever received? - 'My car.'

8) What is your go-to karaoke song? - 'She

Will Be Loved, probably?'

9) Describe yourself in one word 'charming'

10)

Shoe size

- '12'

11) Fruits or vegetables 'fruits'

12) Mountains or beach 'beach'

13) Boxers or briefs - 'boxers'

14) Love or money - 'love'

15) Hamburgers or hotdogs - 'hotdogs'