BY KATIE AIZON
Journal Staff
POHANG, South Korea – Marianas Visitor Authority Deputy Managing Director Judy Torres received the Pacific Asia Travel Association Award of Merit for her contributions during the PATA Executive Board & Board Member and PATA Awards Presentation Dinner on May 11.
PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing tourism in the Asia Pacific region. PATA commended Torres for her contributions, paying tribute to her over 30 years of experience in tourism administration, destination marketing, research management, and public relations in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Furthermore, Torres has played a key leadership role in tourism development, industry recovery initiatives, airline and stakeholder relations, grants management, and strategic marketing efforts for the Marianas. She also represents MVA as a board member of the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History and Culture.
PATA also presented an Award of Merit to Centara Hotels & Resorts Corporate Ambassador Ben Montgomery. Currently, Torres serves as MVA Acting Managing Director after former director Jamika Taijeron’s departure from MVA in May.
According to MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez, the board will be convening a hiring committee to fill in the position. "The Board intends to convene a hiring committee in the near future to begin the search for the organization's next Managing Director and to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
The MVA remains focused on advancing tourism recovery efforts and strengthening the Marianas visitor industry for the long-term benefit of the community and economy,” he said. mbj
Journal Staff
POHANG, South Korea – Marianas Visitor Authority Deputy Managing Director Judy Torres received the Pacific Asia Travel Association Award of Merit for her contributions during the PATA Executive Board & Board Member and PATA Awards Presentation Dinner on May 11.
PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing tourism in the Asia Pacific region. PATA commended Torres for her contributions, paying tribute to her over 30 years of experience in tourism administration, destination marketing, research management, and public relations in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Furthermore, Torres has played a key leadership role in tourism development, industry recovery initiatives, airline and stakeholder relations, grants management, and strategic marketing efforts for the Marianas. She also represents MVA as a board member of the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History and Culture.
PATA also presented an Award of Merit to Centara Hotels & Resorts Corporate Ambassador Ben Montgomery. Currently, Torres serves as MVA Acting Managing Director after former director Jamika Taijeron’s departure from MVA in May.
According to MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez, the board will be convening a hiring committee to fill in the position. "The Board intends to convene a hiring committee in the near future to begin the search for the organization's next Managing Director and to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
The MVA remains focused on advancing tourism recovery efforts and strengthening the Marianas visitor industry for the long-term benefit of the community and economy,” he said. mbj
