(MVA) — Seventh-grade students at Dandan Middle School received a firsthand look at the role tourism plays in the Marianas during an educational outreach visit by the Marianas Tourism Education Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority last Friday, March 20.
The visit is part of an annual islandwide initiative led by MTEC and MVA that engages 5th-, 7th-, and 10th-grade students through interactive classroom presentations highlighting tourism as the Marianas’ leading economic driver. The program helps students understand how the visitor industry supports jobs, local businesses, and community programs, while encouraging young residents to see themselves as future contributors to the Marianas’ tourism success.
Tourism has long been the backbone of the local economy, employing a large percentage of the workforce in the Commonwealth and supporting hundreds of businesses across the islands.
During the presentation, students learned about the role of MVA as the Commonwealth’s official destination marketing office and its efforts to promote the islands globally under the Far From Ordinary brand. Topics included marketing, destination enhancement, community partnerships, and the importance of hospitality in shaping positive visitor experiences.
“It was very informative,” said Edinna C. Pangelinan, a seventh-grade teacher at Dandan Middle School. “Tourism is a very important subject for our students to understand, especially because of its impact on our economy. It was great for them to learn about the work the Marianas Visitors Authority does, the statistics behind tourism, and how they can play a role in supporting our community.”
Jack Aranda, community projects coordinator for MVA, provided an overview of the agency’s responsibilities, including destination marketing, community events, tourism product development, and international promotion. He was joined by Catherine Perry, a board member of MTEC, who spoke with students about the importance of hospitality and care in welcoming visitors to the islands.
“Engaging students early helps them see how tourism connects to everyday life in the Marianas,” said Aranda. “By understanding the value of the visitor industry and the spirit of Hafa Adai–Tirow culture, our youth can help ensure that the Marianas is a truly Far From Ordinary destination today and in the future.”
The Marianas Tourism Education Council is a nonprofit organization with a threefold mission: to foster community understanding and support of the visitor industry; to educate the public, especially students, about the social and economic benefits tourism brings to the islands; and to promote the Hafa Adai–Tirow hospitality spirit throughout the community.
Through continued partnerships with local schools, MTEC and MVA aim to strengthen tourism awareness among young residents and inspire the next generation to play an active role in shaping the future of the Marianas’ visitor economy.
