Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands —  The Marianas Tourism Education Council (MTEC), in partnership with the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA), convened a Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday (August 26) to begin coordination of youth‑focused tourism education activities for the upcoming school year. 

During the meeting, MTEC outlined its three core initiatives for SY 2026–2027:

• MYWAVE Club Advisors Meeting: Strengthening support for MYWAVE Clubs—Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically—with an overview of MTEC goals and activities toward mutual goals of engaging students in the tourism industry
• School Outreach Program: Delivering interactive presentations to 5th-, 7th-, and 10th‑grade students on the importance and trends of Marianas tourism, the work of the MVA, and how young people can support tourism
• MTEC Tourism Summit: A half‑day youth summit bringing together representatives of MYWAVE Clubs from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to hear from guest speakers and participate in activities to further expand their knowledge of tourism

MTEC Chair Vicky Benavente emphasized the importance of youth involvement in shaping the future of the visitor industry.

“Tourism is everybody’s business — especially our youth,” said Chair Benavente. “When students understand how tourism supports families, the economy, culture, and community programs, they see themselves as part of the Marianas’ future.”

Separately, MVA Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres noted that the partnership between MVA and MTEC continues to be a cornerstone of tourism education in the Marianas.

 “Our young people are the next generation of storytellers, innovators, and ambassadors for the Marianas,” Torres said. “The work of the MTEC-MVA partnership helps students see the value and wonder of their home and the opportunities ahead.”

 MTEC Board is comprised of a cross-section of representatives of various sectors who are committed to strengthening tourism awareness and student engagement across the Marianas.  Other MTEC Board members are Vice Chairman Glenn Policare (Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan), Secretary Martin Duenas (MVA), Treasurer Larissa Larson, Dr. Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications), Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (PDI), Dr. Yunzi Zhang (Northern Marianas College). 

MYWAVE Clubs will be contacted with further details about the advisors meeting, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 30 in the late afternoon.  MTEC and MVA are beginning school outreach in September in coordination with individual schools.

Schools may update their MYWAVE Club Advisors list or get information about forming a MYWAVE Club by contacting MVA Community Projects Coordinator  Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3200.

Marianas Tourism Education Council Board of Directors meets on Aug. 26, 2026, to discuss education outreach to schools in the new school year.  From left, MVA Community Projects Coordinator Jack Aranda, MTEC Director Yunzi Zhang, Board Chair Vicky Benavente, Director Larry Lee, Board Secretary Martin Duenas, and Director Catherine Perry.