On September 8, the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies held webinar on “Improving Indoor Air Quality for Tourism in the New Normal Era”. It was co-organized by IFTM, Nova University of Lisbon, and Turismo de Portugal. The purpose is to discuss the latest trends in improving indoor air quality and ways to restore the confidence of tourists in Macao, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Portugal.
Clustered infections have been reported in bars, karaoke parlors, hot pot restaurants and hotel banquet halls. Research found that exhaled viruses can attach to the aerosol suspending in the air. Thus, improving indoor air quality by the application of air purifying technology has become a critical means to improve indoor environments. Scholars from Hong Kong and Portugal have provided insights into the topic by sharing case studies and introducing air quality accreditation standards in Mainland China, Chinese Taiwan, Singapore and Portugal. To enhance consumer confidence, it was recommended that the tourism industry set up special measures to enhance indoor air quality and protect the health and safety of customers and employees.
The webinar attracted 40 attendees from various sectors, including gaming, hospitality, public administration and higher education, and around the world, namely the United States, Australia, Germany, Portugal, Singapore, Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Participants expressed that they had gained new knowledge and looked forward to attending other talks organised by IFTM on tourism industry updates in the Greater Bay Area and Portugal, so as to foster the healthy development of the industry.