Northern Mariana Islands joins global tourism alliance, ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced today that the Northern Mariana Islands has become the newest destination member to their global tourism alliance.

Called “America’s best kept secret,” the Northern Mariana Islands are a lush tropical Micronesian paradise of 14 islands strung in the western Pacific. The islands offer a place of magnificent beaches and crystal clear aqua waters, rich history, year-round outdoor activities, world-class diving and golfing, international shopping, a wide range of ethnic restaurants, and a cacophony of international and indigenous cultures.

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, Chairman of the International Council of Tourism Partners said: “The Northern Mariana Islands are a beautiful tropical US island chain on the doorstep of the Philippines, China, and Siberia. As a resident of Hawaii, I had the chance to visit our brothers in the east several times – and I’ m impressed about their tourism industry. We welcome the Northern Mariana Islands to the ICTP alliance.”

The Northern Marianas Islands offers the relaxing shores of magnificent beaches, as well as the lively bustle of night life, shopping, a wide range of ethnic restaurants, and a multitude of outdoor activities. The islands offer such activities as a sunset dinner cruise; guided mountain bike tour past World War II tanks, artifacts, and caves; ocean fishing; tennis; golfing; diving; and snorkeling.

Mr. Perry Tenorio, the Managing Director of the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) said: “The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is made up of 3 main islands: Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. A calm easygoing atmosphere has our islands as a prime location in the Pacific for everyone to take pleasure in. You have a choice between an active lifestyle on Saipan, gaming on Tinian, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings in Rota. We are pleased to become a part of the International Council of Tourism Partners and hope that this new membership will help us to grow our industry and create more networking opportunities for us. The Marianas Visitors Authority is committed to green growth, as we try to operate in an environmentally-friendly way wherever we can.”

For more information, visit: www.mymarianas.com .

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a new grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations. Members of destinations currently include Anguilla; Grenada; Flores & Manggarai Baratkab County, Indonesia; La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Northern Mariana Islands, US Pacific Island Territory; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sri Lanka; Johannesburg, South Africa; Oman; Zimbabwe; and from the US: California; North Shore, Hawaii; Bangor, Maine; San Juan County, Utah; & Richmond, Virginia

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org .