Educational tourism expands in the Marianas
Building on the success of student cultural exchange tours to the Marianas started over two decades ago, the Marianas Visitors Authority is seeing growing interest in the travel trend from the new market of China.
Most recently, MVA managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo attended a completion ceremony for 46 students from Korea who have been studying at Northern Marianas International School for several weeks this summer. The MVA attends annual seminars in Japan to entice schools to plan student trips to the Marianas in Japan and provides other support to visiting student groups.
“This is a strong interest in our source markets to give students an opportunity to learn English, and the Marianas has a number of tour agents who arrange for students to study English for as short as a few days to several months,” said Iakopo. “Our proximity to Korea, China, and Japan and the ease and low cost of travelling to the Marianas under visa-free or parole status make this an attractive education destination for students and their families. Also, our friendly schools and people, beautiful ocean, fresh air, and some optional activities arranged by the agents are all added bonuses.”
Many of the groups involving longer-term study work with private schools. Student groups visits from China has also grown in the last couple years. This year, Century Tours has also partnered with Northern Marianas College and organizations in Saipan and Tinian to further promote educational tourism. (PR)
