(MVA) — Students of Hopwood Middle School were taught — and then successfully tested — about The Marianas tourism industry during an educational presentation by the Marianas Tourism Education Council and Marianas Visitors Authority on Nov. 6, 2024, at the school.
The annual school outreach aims to engage 4th graders, 7th graders, and 10th graders on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with current information and activities highlighting The Marianas’ primary economic driver. Following the presentation, several students volunteered to share various facts they had learned, including which country most visitors now come from, ways students can support tourism, the #1 activity visitors plan to do when visiting (enjoy nature), details of the ongoing MVA video contest “Show Us Your #MarianasAdventure,” and more.
“Today’s presentation provided students with an opportunity to learn about tourism, gain insight into the current situation of the CNMI, and explore ways they can contribute to making the Marianas a top travel destination for future tourists,” said teacher Jonathan Sugatan.
The presentation also included an overview of the work MVA, including marketing and its annual signature events such as Christmas in The Marianas next month, Rota Marathon in January, Tinian Hot Pepper Festival in February, and Saipan Marathon in March.
“It is important to educate our students on the importance of tourism to our islands and what ways they can contribute…by greeting our tourists showing the Håfa Adai and Tirow spirit, beautifying our beaches, and volunteering and participating in community events and projects,” said Monica Pangelinan, a 7th grade Chamorro Carolinian Language Heritage Studies teacher and long-time advisor for the school MY WAVE Club.
MTEC is a non-profit organization whose mission is three-fold: to foster community understanding and support of the visitor industry; to educate the 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 Ada-Tirow” hospitality spirit throughout the island community.
The organization is also preparing for its annual MTEC Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE Clubs in January 2025.
For more information, contact MVA Community Projects Coordinator Jack Aranda at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200/1.
Students at Hopwood Middle School respond during a presentation about The Marianas tourism industry on Nov. 6, 2024, by Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Coordinator Jack Aranda, right. Aranda and representatives of the Marianas Tourism Education Council presented at the school in Chalan Piao, Saipan.
Students of Hopwood Middle School share what they’ve learned about The Marianas tourism industry on Nov. 6, 2024, as Marianas Tourism Education Council Board Member Catherine Perry looks on. MTEC and the Marianas Visitors Authority presented at the school in Chalan Piao, Saipan.
