MTEC, MVA continue school outreach
Marianas Tourism Education Council chair Vicky Benavente addresses students at Tinian Jr./Sr. High on April 5, 2018, explaining who visits the Marianas, the benefits of the tourism industry, and how students can support the industry and become part of the tourism workforce in the future. (MTEC)
The Marianas Tourism Education Council and Marianas Visitors Authority took their message on tourism and hospitality industry to students of Tinian Jr./Sr. High School this month.
MTEC chair Vicky Benevente led the discussion with 8th and 10th graders about how the industry works, how it benefits them, and what they can do to support tourism.
“We spoke to the Tinian students about job opportunities and careers in the tourism industry. In just a couple of years, many of them will be knocking on the doors of businesses for a job,” said Benavente. “Our hope is that the information from MTEC will broaden their knowledge and understanding of this vital industry.”
Asked which sites on island they would recommend to visitors, students named the ancient Chamorro latte stone site House of Taga and the picturesque Blow Hole, among others. The students also expressed interest in the iconic, giant letter sign “TINIAN” that MVA is working on installing, similar to the “SAIPAN” sign in Marpi.
As Tinian Jr./Sr. High School has a MY WAVE Club, Benavente also shared about the MTEC Scholarship available for graduating MY WAVE Club members.
MVA community projects assistant Demalynn Pagarao and MTEC board member Catherine Perry also presented recently at San Vicente Elementary School and Kagman Elementary School. They had been joined at Kagman Middle School by former MVA community projects specialist Lynn Sablan, who provided an overview of tourism in the Marianas and shared about the responsibilities and activities of the state tourism agency.
“It’s a pleasure doing these presentations,” said Pagarao. “We are always looking for new ways to create awareness of what MVA’s role is in the community and connecting everyday life with tourism for the students.”
MTEC has also recently extended support to engage more students with tourism by sponsoring several MY WAVE and other students in Saipan Marathon 2018 and the 1st Rota Coffee Marathon. MTEC and MVA are also jointing organizing several May Tourism Month events, including the ongoing 2018 Tourism Month Graphic Arts Design Contest, school roadside waving on May 1, a “See My Marianas” industry tourism for MY WAVE students, and more.
This month MTEC and the MVA will wrap up their annual presentations to 5th, 8th, and 10th graders this year on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The presentations are also sponsored by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Kanoa Resort Saipan, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Ernst & Young, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, and T Galleria. (MTEC)
