MTEC starts plans for new school year

Members of the Saipan Southern High School MY WAVE Club participate in the proclamation signing for Marianas Tourism Month led by Gov. Ralph Torres, left, and Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios on April 30, 2019, at the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

The Marianas Tourism Education Council met recently to regroup and plan for the new school year.

MTEC discussed the upcoming school year 2019-2020 calendar of events, which will include a meeting with advisers of Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically, or MY WAVE, Clubs.

“The current school year has been a challenge for MY WAVE clubs, especially with Super Typhoon Yutu affecting the school schedule,” said MTEC chair Vicky Benavente. “We are super proud of all those clubs that made the time to organize activities and continue to support tourism despite the challenges. We are excited about resuming our school presentations again next year.”

On April 30, 2019, MY WAVE club members of Saipan Southern High School participated in the proclamation signing for Marianas Tourism Month.

“This board, under the leadership of Vicky, is very committed to our mission, which is to foster community understanding and support for the visitor industry; educate our students about the value and economic benefits provided by the industry; and to instill, improve and promote the ‘Hafa Adai & Tirow’ spirit throughout the islands,” said MTEC vice chair Wendi Herring. “We sincerely embrace our credo that tourism truly is everybody’s business! And, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to speak with more students in the coming school year.”

MTEC also welcomed a new treasurer, Robert “Ryan” Yulo of Ernst & Young. The accounting firm, along with the Marianas Visitors Authority, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, and DFS Saipan, are all founding members of MTEC.

““I’m so honored to be given an opportunity to hold an important position in this council that my firm has been part of from the very start,” said Yulo. “And I look forward to being able to assist in achieving [MTEC’s] goals that aims to contribute to the continuous success of the CNMI’s tourism industry.”

MTEC’s next major event will be the Governor’s Tourism Cup on August 31, 2019, at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Other annual events include the MTEC Tourism Summit in January. MTEC also offers a stipend for MY WAVE club advisers and a scholarship program for MY WAVE club members. MTEC partners closely with the MVA for manpower and other assistance for the golf tournament and other activities.

“The Marianas Visitors Authority is pleased to work with MTEC in its mission to educate and energize the community, especially students, in support of tourism,” said MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas. “MTEC does tremendous work in further the message that, ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business.’”
MTEC was formed in 2002. (MTEC)

Officers of the Marianas Tourism Education Council attend the proclamation signing for Marianas Tourism Month on April 30, 2019, at the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill. From left, MTEC secretary Martin Duenas, treasurer Ryan Yulo, vice chair Wendi Herring, and chair Vicky Benavente. (MTEC)