(MVA) — Over 100 tourism enthusiasts in the Marianas joined the Japan Saipan Travel Association or JSTA in its semi-annual cleanup on May 29, 2021, collecting approximately 600 lbs. of trash and marking one of the largest turnouts of volunteers in recent years.
With the lull in tourism, this year’s volunteers turned their attention away from the main tourist district of Garapan to the popular scenic and historic sites of Marpi in northern Saipan, including the Last Command Post, Okinawa Peace Memorial and the Korean Peace Memorial.
JSTA was joined by the Japan Consulate Office, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas Diving Operators Association, Korean Tourism Association, Chinese Association, SkyDive Saipan, and community members. In addition to collect trash, the group planted trees at Japan Peace Memorial and the Tower of Okinawa, two sites marking Saipan’s historic ties with Japan.
“As the Marianas prepares to welcome back international flights, MVA would like to extend our sincere si Yu’us ma’ase, olomwaay, and thank you to JSTA and the other organizations and individuals who participated in the cleanup,” said MVA Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “As we are all a product of the Marianas, let’s continue to respect and keep our islands clean and pristine.”
The cleanup is held annually in celebration of May Tourism Month.
From left, president of the Japan Saipan Travel Association Masaru Sunaga, president of the Japanese Society of the Northern Mariana Islands Hideaki Sawada, JSTA vice president Masanori Takahashi, and wife Kaoru clean the Japanese Peace Memorial on May 29, 2021 on Saipan. The cleanup included scenic and historic sites in Marpi.
Representatives of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Japan Saipan Travel Association, Korea Tourism Association, Chinese Association and Japanese Society School of Saipan prepare to plant trees during the tourism industry cleanup on May 29, 2021 in Marpi, Saipan.
Volunteers of Japan Saipan Travel Association clean the Korea Peace Memorial on May 29, 2021 in Marpi, Saipan.
Over 100 volunteers joined the Marianas tourism industry cleanup in Marpi, Saipan, on May 29,
2021.
