The 2018 Miss Intercontinental beauty contest opened on Thursday in Egypt's Red Sea city of Hurghada with participation of 77 countries from five continents, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported on Friday.

This year marks the competition's 46th edition, which will last until 25 January.

The contest's participants hail from countries such as Egypt, South Sudan, Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq, the United States of America, France, Russia, Brazil and Venezuela, among others.

Contestants are expected to visit other cities such as Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea's Marsa Alam during their visit.