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Marianas guide list now online
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Posted on May 30 2019
The names of over 170 tour guides and tour operators under the Marianas Visitors Authority’s Tour Guide Certification Program, also known as Official Marianas Guides, are now available to visitors and the public.
A list of Official Marianas Guides has been published on the official MVA website at www.mymarianas.com, making it easier for visitors and residents to identify legitimate tour guides, who must also wear their certification badge while working.
“Names of those who have given their consent are published on our website, but I encourage the public and all concerned government agencies to take a look,” said MVA Tour Guide Certification manager Kuen-Hee Han.
In all, 270 Official Marianas Guides have been certified under the program.
To be certified, tour operators and tourist land/sea transport operators must attend 20 hours of class instruction at Northern Marianas College and provide:
1) proof that the applicants maintain an office within the CNMI;
2) a certification that the applicant does not employ any tour guides that are not certified pursuant to the regulations;
3) proof that the applicant maintains a bank account in the CNMI under the business’ name;
4) the applicant’s business license;
5) the name of an employee or a retained independent contractor who is fluent in the English language; and
6) proof that the applicant is a member in good standing with the MVA.
NMC classes include CNMI history, CNMI geography, CNMI rules and regulations, principles of tour guiding/tour operations, tour guide customer service, tour guide safety & security, protecting the environment, and CNMI culture and legends.
The MVA Tour Guide Certification Program was awarded the 2018 PATA Gold Award by the Pacific Asia Travel Association under the category of Education and Training, competing with 200 entries from 87 organizations and individuals worldwide.
For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com or contact Han at khan@mymarianas.com or 1 (670) 664.3200/1. (PR)
