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MTEC and MVA visit 18 CNMI public schools
The Marianas Tourism Education Council and Marianas Visitors Authority have wrapped up their annual school presentations, visiting 18 public schools with the message that “Tourism is everybody’s business.”
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- Students of Dandan Middle School answer questions posed by Pacific Development Inc. director Gordon Marciano on Jan. 8, 2015, as part of the tourism presentation of the Marianas Tourism Education Council. Marciano is also a MTEC board member. (Contributed Photo)
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- Photographer Del Benson shares professional insights with students of San Antonio Middle School on Jan. 13, 2015, as part of the tourism presentation by the Marianas Tourism Education Council. (Contributed Photo)
MTEC chairwoman Vicky Benavente has led the presentations for the last four years in the CNMI public and private schools. MTEC is administered by a board of directors, including Perry Tenorio of MVA, Christopher Lubi of Ernst & Young, Jonas Barcinas and Naomi Nishimura of the CNMI Public School System, Larry Lee of MTEC, James Nelson of Docomo Pacific, Christopher Concepcion of Delta Air Lines, and Gordon Marciano of PDI.
“At each MTEC presentation, students are asked how they can become involved with the islands’ tourism industry. At every age level, they are much more aware of the importance of taking good care of our visitors and at the same time the importance of taking good care of our natural resources,” said Benavente.
A number of industry professionals joined MTEC this year in the presentations, including GM Gloria Cavanagh, Robert Bansil, and Robin Sablan from Mariana Resort & Spa; photographer Del Benson, PIC Saipan executive Glenn Policare, Tony Satur of Laolao Bay Golf Resort, and Marciano.
“I appreciate very much the students’ enthusiasm; tourism is highly regarded as a priority. I know we are in good hands with our future tourism ambassadors taking us all to the next level,” said Marciano. “We should continue to praise MTEC for their efforts to align today’s stakeholders with our children to [help them] understand that there is opportunity for all in the tourism industry.”
“I can really see how MTEC’s tourism summits and visits to the schools are greatly increasing our younger generations’ understanding of the value and importance of tourism in the Northern Mariana Islands,” added Lee. “The students are actually thinking about the kinds of tourism jobs they’d like to pursue and about furthering their education in the hospitality industry.”
MTEC’s presentations to the schools included visitor demographics, language lessons, survey results, the benefits of tourism, industry jobs, and ways students can help support tourism. Giveaways were provided by Pacific Islands Club Saipan and the MVA.
MTEC is a non-profit organization aimed at educating the public on the tourism industry and its importance to the community. (MTEC)
