(MVA) — The Marianas Tourism Education Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority kicked off their annual school presentations on tourism with students at Dr. Rita S. Inos Jr./Sr. High School on Monday, Oct. 4.
Thirty-seven students representing the entire 10th grade of the school joined the presentation, led by MTEC acting Chairwoman Vicky Benavente.
“We thank Principal Tanya King and the teachers and students for welcoming us again this year, and we look forward to visiting the other high schools over the next few weeks,” said Benavente.
She began the presentation with a general overview of the Marianas tourism industry.
MTEC board member Catherine Perry shared general standards visitors look for to feel confident a destination is safe and details of the Tourism Resumption Investment Plan program and safety protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the Marianas.
MVA Rota field operations supervisor David Atalig informed students about the responsibilities of the MVA Rota office, and MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda detailed the overall responsibilities of the MVA in promoting the Marianas.
“Our youth are important contributors to our tourism industry, as well as being our future workforce and leaders,” said MVA Managing Director and MTEC board member Priscilla Maratita Iakopo.
“The Marianas Visitors Authority is pleased to again partner with MTEC on all their activities this year to educate our youth on the importance of tourism, how it benefits them, and how they can support it,” she added.
MTEC presents annually to public schools and is targeting 10th graders in SY 2021-2022.
Other MTEC board members are Martin Duenas (Marianas Visitors Authority), Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (PDI), and Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort).
Dr. Yunzi Zhang of the NMC School of Business also volunteers with the council and donated school supplies for the Rota outreach.
Tenth graders at Dr. Rita S. Inos Jr./Sr. High in Songsong, Rota learn about tourism and the Marianas Visitors Authority on Oct. 4, 2021. Pictured are Marianas Tourism Education Council acting Chairwoman Vicky Benavente, center in blue, and school principal Tanya King, in white, students, and MTEC and MVA representatives.
