Marianas tourism month events set for May

File photo shows students of Tinian Elementary School taking a tour of Blowhole and other island tourist sites during Marianas Tourism Month in 2017. (MVA)

In celebration of May Tourism Month, the Marianas Visitors Authority has organized a series of community events to celebrate and support the primary economic driver of The Marianas.

“More than ever during this time of COVID-19, we have seen the importance of tourism to our Marianas economy and the well-being of our community,” said MVA managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the industry during May Tourism Month as we reflect on all we’ve overcome as a tourism community, express gratitude for where we are today, and plan for the resumption of international tourism soon.”

A proclamation signing ceremony declaring May as Tourism Month was held last May 4 at the Office of the Governor.

The MVA is holding a high school student essay contest. (See sidebar)

The Hafa Adai/Tirow Pledge program will be launched this month, inviting companies, organizations, and individuals to make a deeper commitment and take more responsibility to develop, promote, and support the Hafa Adai/Tirow Spirit in the Marianas. Taking the pledge means uniting in the preservation and promotion of the Chamorro and Carolinian languages, culture, and traditions. It encourages pledge-takers to explore ways to do this by using the languages, using indigenous images and artwork, being educated on historical sites, and more. The Hafa Adai/Tirow Pledge unites all people of the Marianas in celebrating its unique way of life and sharing it with the world.

The public will also have the chance to win Tourism Month T-shirts and gift cards by correctly answering tourism-related trivia questions on radio station Power 99 (97.5 FM) and KMCV7.

On Tinian, a Tourist for a Day educational field trip on May 28 will educate youth through firsthand experience of how tourism effects everyone in the islands. This will mainly target third-graders who will be given a tour of beaches, cultural and historical sites and learn about the responsibility of MVA in preserving this areas. The photo competition “My Favorite Island Treasure Glimpses” invites people to take a picture of a Tinian attraction and provide a caption.

On Rota, Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically, or MYWAVE, students will join the MVA in cleaning up beaches on the island.

The Walk for Tourism will be held on the morning of May 22 on Saipan. Registration is free, and the first 100 registrants will receive a Tourism Month T-shirt. Participants are encouraged to wear tourism- and travel-inspired costumes to win prizes. Further details on Tourism Month activities will be announced as confirmed.

The public is invited to join a cleanup organized by the Japan-Saipan Travel Association on May 29 at 10am at the Last Command Post in Marpi.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/VisitTheMarianas or contact MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda at 664-3200/1 or communityprojects@mymarianas.com. (MVA)