(MVA) — With public school students back in the classroom fulltime this year, the Marianas Tourism Education Council met with school MY WAVE or Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically Club advisors on Friday, Sept. 9.
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 Hyatt Regency Saipan, also included an overview of MTEC’s goals and programs the council organizes in support of MY WAVE Clubs.
“The MTEC board of directors have always recognized the importance of the MY WAVE Club advisors’ role with regard to guiding the students’ participation within the tourism and hospitality fields,” said MTEC Acting Chairwoman Vicky Benavente.
Programs offered by MTEC include the annual MTEC MY WAVE Tourism Summit, scheduled for January 2023. Also shared were details of suggested club activities, 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 program also introduced advisors to the recently revived Beautify My Marianas program coordinated by MVA, offering cash incentives for approved cleanup projects. The MY WAVE Clubs were also encouraged to take the “Hafa Adai Tirow Pledge” in support of indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian culture.
“As one of the founders of MTEC in 2002, MVA is very pleased to again partner with MTEC this year on spreading information and enthusiasm for the tourism industry with our students,” said MVA Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “Our students are an essential part of our island hospitality, stewards of our beautiful natural resources, and part of our future workforce. Their participation in tourism at a young age is valuable.”
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 Iakopo, MTEC Board members include Martin Duenas (Marianas Visitors Authority), Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (Public School System), Gordon Marciano (PDI), Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications), and Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort).
For more information, call MVA at (670) 664-3200/1.
Marianas Tourism Education Council Acting Chairwoman Vicky Benavente, seated third right, leads an MTEC orientation for school MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) club advisors on Sept. 9, 2022, at Hyatt Regency Saipan. Also pictured are other MTEC directors and school MY WAVE Club advisors.
