Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – In its continuing work to improve visitor satisfaction, the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) - in cooperation with Northern Marianas College - is rebooting its Tour Guide Certification Program with classes in March 2026 and a streamlined process for tour guides and tour operators.
The Tour Guide Certification Program was started in 2018 to ensure a safe, well-informed, and professional tour experience for visitors to the Marianas. The program provides training and certification for members of the hospitality industry who represent the Marianas destination through daily interaction with visitors.
“With our renewed focus on providing a Far From Ordinary experience for each visitor, the MVA is pleased to be reinstating our Tour Guide Certification Program in cooperation with Northern Marianas College,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “In cooperation with Northern Marianas College, who will be teaching a condensed series of classes, we are working to raise the reputation of our destination by improving the knowledge and skills of our service providers and, therefore, having positive, lasting memories of their time with us.”
Classes will cover topics including history, culture, environmental protection, safety, and historic landmarks.
Under CNMI Public Law 18-58, all tour guides, tour operators, and tourist land/sea transport operators must be certified. Classes will be held in March 2026, at Northern Marianas College. Class sizes are limited, and registration is now open at https://mva.mymarianas.com/marianas-guide/.
For more information, contact MVA Tour Guide Certification Manager George Sablan at gsablan@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3200/01.
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 and T’Way provide 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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