Marianas Tourism Education Council Chairwoman Vicky Benavente, seated center, leads an MTEC orientation for school MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club advisors on Nov. 15, 2023, at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan. Also pictured are other MTEC directors and school MY WAVE Club advisors.
(MTEC) — To kick off its annual schedule of outreach activities with students, the Marianas Tourism Education Council met with school MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club advisors on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
The meeting focused on ways the two organizations can collaborate this school year to involve students with the islands’ number one industry — tourism. The meeting, held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, also included an overview of MTEC’s goals and the programs that the council organizes in support of MY WAVE Clubs.
“The advisors are the key to the success of the MY WAVE program. They lead the students through Club activities such as the beach cleanups or MVA events. We are grateful for their hard work in helping students stay engaged and informed about the CNMI’s tourism industry,” said MTEC Chairwoman Vicky Benavente. “MTEC also appreciates the contribution from DFS T Galleria to this meeting with MY WAVE Club advisers.”
Programs offered by MTEC include the annual MTEC MY WAVE Tourism Summit, scheduled for January 2024. Also shared were details of suggested club activities to support and engage with tourism, annual educational presentations at schools by MTEC and the Marianas Visitors Authority, opportunities for advisors to earn a stipend for out-of-pocket costs in conducting club activities, and details on the MTEC Scholarship program for graduating seniors.
“The Marianas Visitors Authority helped found MTEC in 2002, and we’re pleased to partner with MTEC on spreading information and enthusiasm for the tourism industry with our students,” said MVA Community Projects Manager and MTEC Secretary Martin Duenas. “We also thank our many other sponsors and supporters who contribute to our work throughout the year in various ways.”
MTEC is a non-profit organization that aims to heighten the community’s awareness of the importance of tourism to the well-being of the people of the Marianas. MTEC’s stated mission is three-fold: to foster community understanding and support of the visitor industry; to educate the general public, especially school students, about the value, social benefits, and economic contributions made to the community by the visitor industry; and to instill, improve, and promote the “Hafa Adai – Tirow” hospitality spirit throughout the island community.
In addition to Benavente and Duenas, MTEC Board members include Vice Chairman Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort), Treasurer Larissa Larson, Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (PDI), Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications), and Dr. Yunzi Zhang (Northern Marianas College).
For more information, contact MVA at (670) 664-3200/1.
