Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The Marianas Tourism Education Council (MTEC) met with school advisors of Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically (MY WAVE) Clubs on Sept. 30, 2026, at Pacific Islands Club Saipan to discuss opportunities to engage students in the Marianas’ tourism industry and maximize educational opportunities this school year.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between MTEC, MY WAVE Club advisors, and the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) to help students understand the importance of tourism to the Marianas economy and community. Advisors also received information on MTEC’s goals, a briefing on the Marianas Far From Ordinary global brand, the Northern Marianas College Associate degree in Hospitality, scholarship opportunities, the My Marianas 2040 High School Ideas Competition organized by the MVA, and more.
This year’s MTEC outreach theme is “Marianas Far From Ordinary - Chågu’ Kontra Otdinåriu - A Ffar Lap ló Ghatchúl Bwangil llól ótol Keey,” providing an opportunity for young people to learn about the new Marianas global brand and its pillars: nature, culture, history, adventure, diversity, and sustainability.
“We are so appreciative of our MY WAVE advisors, who invest their enthusiasm and time to help students connect the concept of tourism with their own lives,” said MTEC Chairwoman Vicky Benavente. “Through club activities, school presentations, and the annual Tourism Summit, MTEC works with advisers to help our young people recognize that tourism is everybody’s business and that each of us has a part in sharing the hospitality and experiences that make the Marianas Far From Ordinary.”
MTEC also announced that its annual MY WAVE Tourism Summit will be held on Feb. 11, 2027, at American Memorial Park, bringing MY WAVE Clubs together to delve deeper into the visitor industry and their role in welcoming visitors to the islands.
MTEC programs include the annual MY WAVE Tourism Summit, educational presentations at schools in partnership with MVA, suggested club activities that encourage students to support tourism and community stewardship, assistance for advisors with eligible out-of-pocket club activity costs, and scholarships for graduating seniors.
“The Marianas Visitors Authority helped establish MTEC in 2002, and we remain committed to working with MTEC and educators to build awareness of tourism among the next generation,” said MVA Community Projects Manager and MTEC Secretary Martin Duenas. “Our school outreach and February summit will give students another chance to explore how tourism supports local jobs, businesses, and other opportunities, while encouraging them to take pride in what makes the Marianas unique.”
MTEC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing community awareness of tourism’s importance to the well-being of the people of the Marianas. Its mission is to foster community understanding and support for the visitor industry, educate the public—particularly students—about tourism’s economic and social contributions, and promote the “Håfa Adai-Tirow” spirit of hospitality throughout the islands.
In addition to Benavente and Duenas, MTEC Board members include Vice Chairman Glenn Policare (Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan), Treasurer Larrisa Larson, Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications), Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (PDI), and Dr. Yunzi Zhang (Northern Marianas College).
For more information about MTEC or starting a school MY WAVE Club, contact MVA Community Projects at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3200.
Marianas Tourism Education Council (MTEC) Board Chair Vicky Benavente, center front in blue, leads the MTEC MYWAVE Advisors Meeting on Sept. 30, 2026, at Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio, Saipan. The meeting was also attended by other MTEC Board members and representatives of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The Marianas is an archipelago of 14 islands - including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota - in the Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3–4-hour flight from major Asian gateway cities. From Korea Republic, Jeju Air provides direct flights to Saipan from Seoul-Incheon. United Airlines flies three times a week from Tokyo-Narita, Japan, and daily from Guam. Hong Kong Airlines flies twice weekly from Hong Kong, China. Interisland travel between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is provided by Star Marianas Air and Micronesian Air Connection Services. For more information on the Marianas, visit www.mymarianas.com, Facebook/VisitTheMarianas, or Instagram @themarianas.
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