Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Macao co-organised the “2010 International Symposium on Tourism Resources and Management” on 5 February with the University of Jinan, Shandong Province, PRC. The objectives of the Symposium are to encourage academic exchanges between the Mainland, Macao and other countries and provide a platform for scholars to probe into the conservation and continuous development of tourism resources.
The Symposium has attracted over 20 professionals and academics from different organisations, including Renmin University of China, China University of Geosciences (Beijing PRC), Beijing Union University (PRC), Beijing Institute of Petro-chemical Technology (PRC), Henan Polytechnic University (PRC), Jinan University (Shandong PRC), IFT and M&D Forum (Australia). The organisers have specially invited Mr. Grant Bowie, President of MGM Grand Paradise Limited, to deliver a speech on “Current development and future challenges in Macao’s tourism, hospitality and gaming industry”. Dr. Baudouin Neirynck, IFT, also introduced IFT’s approach in educating hospitality and MICE students.
Professors and scholars from various institutions met to share their knowledge and experience on different topics, such as the status and opportunities of tourism industry in the Mainland and Macao, the management of tourism resources, conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and challenges in sustainable development of tourism industry.
University of Jinan is a comprehensive university under the administration of Shandong Province. The university has been active in academic exchanges and cooperation with educational institutions abroad, and has established relations with various colleges and universities in Europe, North America and Asia, with over 100 scholars around the globe as visiting professors. UJN expects that, through the co-organisation of the conference next year, UJN will establish a closer cooperative relationship with IFT.
In recent years, IFT actively participates in academic exchanges, trainings and researches on cultural heritage. As the Knowledge Management Hub of the Asian Academy for Heritage Management, as well as the executive member of the UNESCAP Network of Asia-Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism (APETIT), IFT strives to promote the long-term development of heritage education in Asia. By tightening the cooperation with Jinan University (Shandong) and other well-established and recognised higher education institutions, IFT expands students’ cultural and academic exchange opportunities, enhances Macao’s tourism and hospitality education and gains international recognition.