(MVA) — The Marianas Tourism Education Council will hold its annual tourism summit on Jan. 24, 2025, for school MY WAVE — Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically — Clubs.
This year’s theme, “Planting Peace – Manånånum Pås – Ffóttol llol Tipiyeew,” will encourage students to understand, appreciate, and contribute to fostering peace in The Marianas.
“As we share with the students in our school presentations, one of the top considerations for travelers when choosing a destination is whether it’s safe and peaceful,” said MTEC Chairwoman Vicky Benavente. “Add to that the fact that most visitors to The Marianas have said — based on our last exit survey — that they’re top planned activity is to enjoy nature here. This makes the theme of ‘Planting Peace – Manånånum Pås – Ffóttol llol Tipiyeew’ a timely topic to discuss with the students in an educational and meaningful way at the summit.”
The annual summit will gather hundreds of MY WAVE Club members and chaperones at Garapan Central Park in Saipan. In addition to exhibitors, students will have the opportunity to participate in folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to commemorate 80 years of peace in 2025 since the end of World War II.
School presentations
In related news, MTEC and the Marianas Visitors Authority have concluded their first semester of school presentations, sharing about the tourism industry with fourth graders at two schools on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
“Going back to one of the sayings, ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business,’ it really helps our economy,” said Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School Principal Raena Camacho in welcoming the outreach team. “If everyone is helping out, we can attract more tourists. And I think it starts young, by teaching them how important tourism is and how it’s important for all of us to help out our CNMI.”
The MTEC-MVA team also visited Koblerville Elementary School.
“They are our future generation and need to know this information to carry on not only the enhancement of tourism business but also our culture,” said Koblerville Elementary School Principal Naomi Nishimura. “And the earlier we start with them, that will help build that growth mindset. Even as young as they are, we value what they think and we want them to have a little understanding of what runs our economy.”
For more information on MTEC, contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or tel. no. (670) 664-3200/1.
Students at Koblerville Elementary School respond during in a presentation about tourism by the Marianas Tourism Education Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority on Dec. 18, 2024, at the school in Koblerville, Saipan.
Students at Koblerville Elementary School work together to answer questions about tourism posed by Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Coordinator Jack Aranda.
Students at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School participate in a presentation about tourism by the Marianas Tourism Education Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority on Dec. 18, 2024, at the school in San Roque, Saipan.
Students at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School work together to answer questions about tourism posed by Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Specialist Sherman Santos, right.
