(MVA) — The Marianas joined the global travel and tourism community in celebrating the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Day on Sept. 27, 2022.
“A big si Yu ‘us ma’ase and olomwaay to everyone who came out to celebrate World Tourism Day activities on Tinian, Rota, and Saipan,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo.
Businesses and other groups participated in island beautification cleanups on Saipan at Paseo de Marianas in downtown Garapan and at Tinian at Tinian Swimming Hole. Participating groups in Saipan were from Kinpachi Restaurant, Japan Saipan Travel Association, Northern Marianas Diving Operators Association, Saipan Keepers, Loco & Taco, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, the Offices of Vice Speaker B.J. Attao and House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, Division of Parks & Recreation, and L.J.’s Lawn Care.
World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathons were held on all three islands beginning at 6 p.m. Tinian’s walk attracted nearly 200 participants, including a large number of youth and employees of local eatery JC Café in cultural attire. Winners in the cultural attire contest were: 1st place, Joedric Torres; 2nd place, Lorena Cabrera; 3rd place, Sienna Lazaro; 4th place, Derek Cabrera; and 5th place, DJ Atalig. Fifty three walkers joined Saipan’s walk beginning at the Mina’chom Atdao Pavilion at Kilili Beach Park in Susupe, with John Tagabuel II winning the Chamorro and Carolinian cultural attire contest. On Rota, the walk beginning at East Harbor drew 22 participants.
In collaboration with the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture, high school Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically or MY WAVE clubs of Saipan Southern High School, Marianas High School and Kagman High school received free tours in the morning. Students also had the opportunity to join Color Nights painting session with local instructor Linda Torres.
Local artist Linda Concepcion Torres conducts a painting class with MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club students during World Tourism Day on Sept. 27, 2022, at the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture in Garapan, Saipan.
Nearly 200 participants joined the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022 in Tinian in celebration of World Tourism Day. A Chamorro and Carolinian cultural attire contest was also held as part of the walk.
Fifty-eight participants join the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022, in Saipan in celebration of World Tourism Day. Walks were also held in Rota and Tinian, organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Community members join the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022, beginning at East Harbor, Rota, in celebration of World Tourism Day. Walks were also held in Saipan and Tinian, organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Thirty volunteers join the World Tourism Day cleanup in Garapan, Saipan, on Sept. 27, 2022. A cleanup was also held in Tinian.
MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club students tour the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture on World Tourism Day on Sept. 27, 2022, in Garapan, Saipan.
Nearly 200 participants joined the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022, in Tinian in celebration of World Tourism Day. Walks were also held in Saipan and Rota, organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, left, awards Sienna Lazaro a prize for her cultural attire during the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022, in Tinian. Also pictured is Marianas Visitors Authority Tinian Field Supervisor Vida Borja.
Participants register and receive free t-shirts at the World Tourism Day Sunset Walkathon on Sept. 27, 2022, beginning at Mina’chom Atdao in Saipan in celebration of World Tourism Day. Walks were also held in Tinian and Rota.
