The “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Forum on Study Tour, Innovation, and Collaborative Development”, hosted by the International Training and Testing Center (ITTC) of City University of Macau (CityU) and the Macau Research Study and Exchange Association, was recently held at the Ho Yin Convention Centre in Taipa campus. The forum aimed to bring together experts, scholars, and industry representatives from the study tour industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to jointly discuss how to strengthen regional collaborative cooperation and resource sharing and promote the innovation and development of study tour cooperation in the Greater Bay Area.
Guests attending the opening ceremony of the event included: Ma U Leng, head of the Organizational Planning and Development Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Cheong Man Fai, head of the Department of Youth of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Xi Li, executive associate dean of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM) of CityU; Doris Wu, acting ITTC; Wen Linjian, president of the Macau Research Study and Exchange Association; Tang Jinwen, member of the Expert Committee of the Guangdong Study Travel Association; and Wang Xiaobin, deputy secretary-general of the Hong Kong International Study Tour Association.
In her speech, Head Ma U Leng pointed out that the primary-level study tour instructor course launched by ITTC, the Macau Research Study and Exchange Association, and the Guangdong Study Travel Association laid a solid foundation for the collaborative development of study tour in Macao and the Greater Bay Area. She highlighted that MGTO’s effort in promoting the integration of “tourism and education” through systemic study, forum exchanges, tourism-related production innovation competition, cross-departmental and regional collaboration in recent years, and expressed her hope to promote study tour and Macao’s economic diversification through joint endeavor and create more opportunities.
Vice Rector Ip Kui Peng pointed out that CityU, a comprehensive university, actively expanded cooperation in study tour education in the Greater Bay Area supported by its rich academic resources and interdisciplinary advantages, mentioning the collaborations with the institutions and associations in the region to integrate resources and create distinctive study tour programs. He highlighted the first edition of the study tour instructor course, co-organized by the Macau Research Study and Exchange Association and the Guangdong Study Travel Association, aimed to foster professionals and curriculum innovation; and expected that this forum would further promote the innovative development of study tour programs, deepen the educational cooperation in the Greater Bay Area, thereby building a study tour education ecosystem in the region.
This forum was held with the goal of promoting cooperation in the field of study tour in the Greater Bay Area, sharing successful experiences and innovative models, and building an efficient study tour ecosystem. Through keynote speeches and special topic sharing sessions, it was hoped to construct a sharing platform. In the keynote speech session, Executive Associate Dean Xi Li, with the topic of “Diversified Development of Study Tour Resources and Study Tourism”, pointed out how to explore Macao’s study tour resources from different perspectives, establish a study tour resource database, and the strategies and paths to build Macao into a study tour center. Member of the Expert Committee Tang Jinwen of the Guangdong Study Travel Association, with the topic of “From Travel to Tourism: The Changes and Constancy in Study Tours”, discussed the differences between study travel and study tourism, and with the empowerment of digital technology, brought out the in-depth integration of “study” and “learn” and the sustainable development of study tours.
In the special topic sharing session, the guest speakers deeply explored the development strategies and future directions of study tour in the Greater Bay Area from multiple dimensions such as resource integration, digital technology application, industry-academia collaboration, innovative practice, and cross-border cooperation.
Finally, Esther Kou Iok Teng, program coordinator of FITM, summarized by reviewing the core topics of the forum. She emphasized the importance of study tour cooperation in the Greater Bay Area and its future development direction, stating that the creation of more influential study tour brand and sustainable development by deepening regional collaboration, resource sharing, and combining innovative technologies with diverse cultural resources.
Subsequently, the awarding ceremony of the first study tour instructor (primary-level) was held. President Wen Linjian of the Macau Research Study and Exchange Association presented the certificates to the representative students. The students highlighted the innovative composite learning mode of “online theory + field practice” and a training system of “knowledge teaching – experience sharing – on-site assessment”, it not only strengthened the professional foundation but also promoted the integration of the study tour standards in the Greater Bay Area, laying a solid professional foundation for study tour instructors.
As the representative of the organizer, President Wen Linjian pointed out that the “Professional Certification Course for Study Tour Instructors” jointly launched by the Guangdong Study Travel Association and ITTC was a practical measure to respond to the SAR government’s strategies of “Macao Thrives on Education” and “Building Macao through Talent Training,” highlighting this course opened up a new career development path of “professional certification + employment and entrepreneurship” for local youth and cultivated professionals in this industry with an international perspective.
Source: International Training and Testing Center
Photos: CityU Reporter
