{"id":383995,"date":"2023-01-25T06:06:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T20:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=383995"},"modified":"2023-01-25T06:06:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T20:06:52","slug":"300-plus-students-join-mtec-tourism-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/300-plus-students-join-mtec-tourism-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"300-plus students join MTEC Tourism Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Gordon Marciano, managing director and part-owner of Pacific Development Inc., addresses students at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan. (Photos by MTEC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than 300 students and advisers of school tourism clubs joined the Jan. 19 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit at Kensington Hotel Saipan for a day of learning focused on the Marianas\u2019 primary economic driver, tourism.<\/p>\n

Members of the schools\u2019 MY WAVE\u2014Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically\u2014Clubs in grades 3-12 convened for the day\u2019s event, co-organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.<\/p>\n

The theme of this year\u2019s summit was, \u201cWe\u2019re Back with Respect! Our People, Our Land, Our Guests,\u201d reflecting the resumption of the Marianas tourism industry and the value of respect among the people of the Marianas, which includes respect for natural resources and visitors.<\/p>\n

Guess speaker Dr. Bobby Cruz, State Education Agency director for Public School System Mental Health, issued a call to the young leaders titled \u201cTourism: Bringing the Magic Back,\u201d challenging them to become aware of and help promote the unique qualities of the Marianas, including its indigenous cultures, the warmth of the community, and its peaceful, natural beauty.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Bobby Cruz, State Education Agency director for Public School System Mental Health, addresses students at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Kuen-Hee Han, managing director of 500 Sails, addresses students at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Students of Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary Schools share about their club at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Marianas Visitors Authority marketing specialists Skye Seo and Brenda Repeki, third and second right, share about the office\u2019s work at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Archie Ajoste of the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture shares at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Summit chair Larry Lee gives closing remarks at the 2023 Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit with school MY WAVE \u2013 Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically \u2013 Clubs on Jan. 19, 2023, at Kensington Hotel Saipan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kuen-Hee Han, managing director of 500 Sails, introduced students to the goal of the organization to revive the indigenous maritime traditions of the Marianas.<\/p>\n

Gordon Marciano, managing director and part-owner of tour company Pacific Development Inc., tied into the summit\u2019s theme by encouraging students to connect with visitors and to maintain a positive attitude while extending island hospitality.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe asked the students for two things: to listen carefully to the guest speakers and have fun learning about our tourism industry,\u201d said MTEC acting chairwoman Vicky Benavente.<\/p>\n

Clubs also presented on their accomplished activities and upcoming plans. Participating schools were Tinian Jr.\/Sr. High School, Garapan Elementary, Kagman Elementary, San Vicente Elementary, Koblerville Elementary, Oleai Elementary, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary, William S. Reyes Elementary, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Admiral Gilbert Hopwood Middle School, Tanapag Middle School, Da\u2019ok Academy, Chacha Oceanview Middle School, Marianas High School, Saipan Southern High, Kagman High, and Dandan Middle School.<\/p>\n

The summit also featured educational exhibits by the MVA, Northern Marianas Technical Institute, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Northern Marianas College, Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture, CNMI Public School System, 500 Sails, Coastal Resources Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance.<\/p>\n

MTEC\u2019s outreach activities this school year are supported by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and the MVA.<\/p>\n

The event was also attended by House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada, MVA acting managing director Judy C. Torres, and Northern Marianas College president and MTEC board member Dr. Galvin Guerrero.<\/p>\n

Other MTEC board members are Martin Duenas (Marianas Visitors Authority), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Marciano (PDI), Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications), and Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort).<\/p>\n

For more information on MTEC, contact MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com. (MTEC)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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