Tourism Month kicks off

Gov. Ralph Torres, left, and Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios declare Marianas Tourism Month for May 2019 at a proclamation signing ceremony on April 30, 2019, at the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

Marianas Tourism Month has officially kicked off with a proclamation signed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres last April 30, at the Office of the Governor.

The Marianas Visitors Authority and industry partners participated in the occasion, where the proclamation and calendar of events were read by members of Saipan Southern High School’s Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically, or My WAVE Club.

“Tourism is still the Marianas’ primary economic driver, providing government and business revenue and jobs and contributing to a higher quality of life for our people,” said acting MVA managing director Judy Torres. “We invite everyone to participate in the many activities planned in celebration of Tourism Month and to work together throughout the year to make our Marianas the best place to live and the best place to visit. And it is still true, ‘Tourism is everybody’s business.’”

The Japanese Saipan Travel Association got a jumpstart on the month’s celebration with a cleanup of downtown Garapan on April 20, also prior to Japan’s Golden Week holiday travel period. Fifty participants from 14 businesses and organizations joined the cleanup.

The 21st Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden will be held every Saturday at the American Memorial Park from 6pm to 10pm (closing at 11pm on May 25).

The event will feature delicious local and international cuisine and drinks sold by over 20 hotels and local establishments. Live local and international performances will entertain festival goers throughout the night.

The Taste of the Marianas will also feature exciting food competitions such as Kadun Pika Cook Off, BBQ Whole Chicken Cook Off, J’s Fried Rice eating competition, and the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Junior Chef Competition. Contest registration forms are now available at www.mymarianas.com. Each Saturday, the first 40 patrons to purchase $40 or more in Taste tokens will receive a free caricature sketch by Ronald Valiente.

Throughout the month, radio listeners can call in with the correct answer to tourism trivia to win tokens for the Taste of the Marianas or a Marianas Tourism Month T-shirt. Participating radio stations are Power 99, KCNM-KZMI, KWAW and KKMP.

My WAVE Club member of Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High and the Funk Squad will spread Rota’s famous island hospitality with visitor greetings at the Rota airport and seaport on May 11 and 25. Members of the My WAVE Club will also be planting trees at Chen’chon Bird Sanctuary to replace those lost during recent typhoons.

Throughout Saipan, My WAVE Clubs members will show their support for tourism with roadside wavings on various days.

Tinian will focus on eco-tourism with two programs. “I am a Green Tourist” on May 13 to 17 will allow visitors to participate in the mass planting of coconut trees and other plants along the roads and at beaches or tourist sites. The name of the visitor and tree planted will be recorded as an acknowledgement of the visitor’s contribution. Also, students of Tinian Elementary School and Grace Christian Academy Tinian will join tour guides on an MVA tour of historical and cultural sites of the island, where they will learn about the history and significance of the sites. Non-profit organizations, school clubs, out-of-school youths and government employees will join together to enhance Tinian’s tourist sites with landscaping and cleanup.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/mymarianas or email communityprojects@mymarianas.com. (PR)

Gov. Ralph Torres is joined by tourism industry representatives in declaring Marianas Tourism Month for May 2019 at a proclamation signing ceremony on April 30, 2019, at the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)