(MVA) — The Marianas will join the global travel and tourism community in celebrating the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Day on Sept. 27, 2021.
“World Tourism Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the important role tourism plays in The Marianas in creating jobs, generating revenue, and bringing our community together in sharing with the world what makes our islands unique and a beautiful place to live and visit,” Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla Maratita Iakopo. “We invite everyone to celebrate World Tourism Day.”
Businesses and other groups are invited to participate in island beautification cleanups on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Interested groups may contact MVA for coordination of cleanup locations and trash pickup. MVA will also provide trash bags, gloves, and water.
The World Tourism Day Sunset Fun Run will be held at 6 p.m. on Saipan and 5:30 p.m. on Tinian and Rota. On Saipan, the walk will begin at Mina’chom Atdao pavilion at Kilili Beach Park, follow the Saipan Beach Rd. Pathway to Quartermaster Rd. and back, a 5K route.
In support of Cultural Heritage Month and recognizing the significance of indigenous culture to tourism, participants are encouraged to wear Chamorro and Carolinian attire. Registration will open at 5 p.m., and the first 100 individuals on site will receive a free World Tourism Day t-shirt. Registration is free. Cash prizes will be awarded for Men and Women’s Divisions, $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place. Cash prizes and in-kind prizes for the Chamorro and Carolinian attire include $100 for 1st place,, $75 for 2nd place, and $50 for 3rd place. On Tinian, the run will start at 5:30 p.m. at Taga Beach and proceed along Broadway to the Tinian International Airport intersection and back. On Rota, the run will start at 5:30 p.m. at East Harbor and proceed to Kokomo and back
In collaboration with the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture, CNMI Museum Day will highlight the importance of promoting history for tourism by offering free tours at the museum. High school Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE clubs will be hosted from 9 to 11 a.m. Tourism partners may avail themselves of free tours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The general public can visit the museum from 1-5 p.m. Covid-19 protocols, including social distancing, will be observed.
For more information on World Tourism Day activities on Saipan, contact MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or 664-3210. On Tinian, contact MVA field operations supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas.com or 433-9365. On Rota, contact MVA field operations supervisor David Atalig at datalig@mymarianas.com or 532-0327.
Priscilla M. Iakopo
