May is CNMI Tourism Month

For more than 30 years, the CNMI has enjoyed the benefits of the travel and tourism industry. The theme for this year’s Tourism Month is “Celebrating Tourism Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

The Marianas Visitor’s Authority said that its theme’s focus is to increase the awareness and the importance of the Industry, and to help shape its future for the people of the CNMI.

Several activities are planned for 2006 CNMI Tourism Month, including last Friday’s signing of the proclamation declaring the month for tourism.

• Ayuda Fun Run: This event will be held on Saipan and Tinian on May 6 and 27 respectively, with proceeds from the event to be donated to one non-profit organization from each island. The date and locations of the events are as follows:

• Saipan – May 6 (Kilili Beach Park all the way to Triple J Motors and back)

• Tinian – May 27 (Taga Beach to M&F Corporation and back)

All interested participants should contact the MVA Office (Saipan) at 664-3200, MVA Office (Tinian) at 433-9365.

• Exploring Tourism: Scheduled to take place on Friday, May 12, 2006, this activity will focus primarily on engaging students to learn about the tourism industry in the CNMI. This will be a one-day activity where high school students will explore the different areas of our tourism industry.

• Taste Of The Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden: This event will be held every Saturday in May at the American Memorial Park, from 6pm to 10pm beginning on May 6 and ending on May 27, 2006. The event will feature local and international cuisine sold by participating hotel and local restaurant outlets. Visitors to the festival can also experience local and international performers jam the night away.

• On May 19, MVA is asking everyone in the community to show their support of the tourism industry by wearing red.

“We most especially would like to encourage our industry partners to wear red to emphasize the importance of the tourism industry in our community,” the MVA said.

• Clean-up Saipan: The MVA has teamed up with the Division of Environmental Quality and the Japan-Saipan Travel Association for two cleanup days in celebration of Tourism Month.

For those who would like to help clean up and beautify our island, meet the MVA at the following locations:

• MVA/DEQ, May 6th at 7:00am – 10:00am (Makaka Beach to Sugar Dock)

• MVA/JSTA, May 15th at 6:00am -8:00am (Chamolinian Cultural Village, Inc. to Kilili Beach Park)

For more information contact the MVA office at 664-3200. (PR)