The Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management and the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming (ISCG) of the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) at the University of Macau (UM) recently organized a highly immersive study mission to Las Vegas, USA, for students. The mission aimed to bridge theory and practice in gaming, integrated resort, and tourism management while inspiring innovation for Macau’s ‘tourism + sports’ development.
A total of 31 students participated in the trip, led by faculty experts including Prof. Miao Li, Head of the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management; Dr. Huiling Huang, Assistant Professor; and Prof. Fong Ka Chio, Director of ISCG. Las Vegas, a global leader in integrated tourism, has long pioneered the ‘tourism + sports’ model, with state-of-the-art sports complexes and world-class entertainment offerings—making it an ideal learning lab for UM students. Through this initiative, UM continues its commitment to equipping students with firsthand exposure to global industry trends.
During the trip, students visited several mega sports complexes in Las Vegas, such as Allegiant Stadium,gaining valuable insights into their operations, event management, and strategic positioning in tourism. Every detail enables the students to have a deeper understanding of the integration of sports and tourism.
They also explored integrated resorts and casinos, including those of MGM Resorts International and Wynn Las Vegas, delving into the intricacies of business operations, entertainment programming, and facility management.
Beyond observing front-end attractions, students were granted behind-the-scenes access to daily maintenance and preparation efforts that contribute to Las Vegas’ world-class reputation.
In addition, the sharing session of the senior executives was one of the highlights. Industry elites, drawing on their rich working experience, provided students with valuable industry insights. They also shared the challenges they encountered at work and the strategies to deal with them, giving the students a clearer direction and more confidence for their future career development.
The study mission was generously supported by the University of Macau Development Foundation, MGM, and Wynn Macau. “These partnerships highlight the industry’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of tourism leaders,” said Prof. Fong. With the insights gained, students are now poised to apply their learnings to help shape the next phase of Macao’s tourism development.
Student’s reflection:
Adelino Pedro Sameiro – Postgraduate Student in Year 1
What impressed me the most during the study tour was the innovative business model of sports and entertainment economics. Particularly showcased at the Allegiant Stadium, it was fascinating to see how such spaces are designed not only for comfort and exclusivity but also to drive customer loyalty and engagement. This commercial, which starts from the perspective of customer feelings, is very inspiring.
Alex Chio – Undergraduate Student in Year 2
Participating in the study mission means I get to have my own unique experience in my own story with my friends whom I met studying this major together. After visiting different hotels and resorts and learning about the cultures of different companies, I deeply realized the importance of an open business mindset. What I concluded from this is that openminded means they are more flexible and adaptive to the changing environment of the industry, this is a more successful approach in this ever-changing environment.
David Li – Postgraduate Student in Year 1
This immersive experience exposed me to a multitude of differences, which significantly broadened my industry perspective and prompted me to contemplate the future development of Macau, a traditional tourism hub. During visits to various properties, I deeply realized that what truly distinguishes one resort enterprise from another is not the design of its appearance or rooms, as these elements can be easily replicated. The real differentiator lies in the unique services and storytelling abilities. This interactive narrative engages customers and encourages repeat visits.
Zoe Lang – Undergraduate Student in Year 3
What impressed me the most was the sharing of their career experiences by the executives of MGM and Wynn. The sharing made me realize that only by delving deeply into a certain industry can one reach a certain height and achieve something. Among them, the sentence that impressed me the most was “Grab all your opportunities”. This sentence indeed encouraged me and gave me the courage to seize the opportunity.
