Registration forms available online for World Tourism Day Fun Runs

Cash prizes are at stake in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s World Tourism Day 5K Sunset Fun Runs on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota this Saturday, Sept. 27. (MARK RABAGO)

Registration forms for the World Tourism Day 5K Sunset Fun Runs in The Marianas on Sept. 27, 2021, are now downloadable on The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com.

The World Tourism Day 5K Sunset Fun Runs will be held on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

On Rota, the run will start at 5:30pm at East Harbor and proceed to Kokomo and back. On Tinian, the run will start at 5:30pm at Taga Beach and proceed along Broadway to the Tinian International Airport intersection and back. On Saipan, registration will open at 5pm at Mina’chom Atdao pavilion at Kilili Beach Park. The run will start at 6pm along Saipan Beach Road Pathway to Quartermaster Road and back. Registration is free and World Tourism Day T-shirts will be distributed while supplies last. In support of Cultural Heritage Month and recognizing the significance of indigenous culture to tourism, participants are encouraged to wear Chamorro and Carolinian attire. Cash prizes will be awarded for men and women’s divisions, $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place. Cash prizes and in-kind prizes for the Chamorro and Carolinian attire include $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.

The Marianas is joining the global travel and tourism community in celebrating the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Day on Sept. 27.

“As tourism slowly picks up in The Marianas, we are slowly also bringing back events for our community and the few visitors coming in. Thanks to the strict guidelines of our COVID-19 Task Force and strong community cooperation to keep safe, we are able to do so,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community projects Manager Martin Duenas.

“We invite everyone to celebrate World Tourism Day in support of what tourism means for our Marianas community.”

Businesses and other groups are invited to participate in island beautification cleanups on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota from 8:30am to 9:30am. Interested groups may contact the MVA for coordination of cleanup locations and trash pickup. The MVA will also provide trash bags, gloves, and water.

In collaboration with the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture, CNMI Museum Day will highlight the importance of promoting history for tourism by offering free tours at the museum. High school Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically (MY WAVE) clubs will be hosted from 9am to 11am. Tourism partners may avail of free tours from 11am to 1pm. The general public can visit the museum from 1pm to 5pm. COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, will be observed.

For more information on World Tourism Day activities on Saipan, contact MVA Community Projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3210. On Tinian, contact MVA Field Operations supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas.com or 1.670.433.9365 . On Rota, contact MVA Field Operations supervisor David Atalig at datalig@mymarianas.com or 1.670.532.0327. (PR)