The Centre for Tourism and Integrated Resort Studies (CTIRS), University of Macau Organized “Journey of Excellence: Alumni and Outstanding FBA Students Explore Hengqin”.

On September 27th, a group of 16 outstanding FBA students and 2 alumni, Ms. Kwong Chi Kei and Mr. Chan Pok Hon,visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, led by Prof. Amy Siu Ian SO,Director of the Centre for Tourism and Integrated Resort Studies, and Prof. Soey Sut Ieng LEI, Assistant Professor in Integrated Resort and Tourism Management. During the trip, they had the opportunity to witness the development achievements and future vision of the new zone. The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin serves as a new high ground for promoting the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a new model for enriching the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”. It not only fosters the moderate economic diversification of Macao but also offers new opportunities for employment and life to Macao residents.

Professors and students first visited the Hengqin New Area Exhibition Hall in the morning and strengthened their knowledge of the advantages and significance of “Macao-Hengqin Integration” through understanding the development and construction of Hengqin. Due to the problem of large population and small land in Macao, Hengqin’s land space and excellent natural ecological environment have been utilized to develop leisure elements and promote Hengqin to become a connecting area for Macau’s tourism and leisure industry. Then, led by Mr. Danny CHAU, an alumnus of UM and the Director & Co-Founder of GoldChess Asia Consulting Ltd., they explored the Sinoport Plaza in Hengqin, for which his company serves as the project consultant, and fully realized the importance of the new idea of integrating commercial housing and hotels.

In the afternoon, professors and students attended the exchange meeting organized by Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, in which the speaker shared a series of contents such as the development history and corporate culture of the company. The students freely exchanged ideas with the industry professionals, and the response on the spot was enthusiastic, many of them expressed that they had gained a lot. Afterward, the person in charge led the professors and students to visit the newly launched “Chimelong Spaceship”. It won seven world records, including the world’s largest indoor amusement park, the world’s largest aquarium, the world’s largest live coral exhibition, the world’s largest indoor artificial wave, the world’s largest capacity ride simulator and the world’s largest curved dome screen. Last but not least, Last but not least, the group went to Hengqin Sumlodol Camping Park to investigate the emerging city tourism model – “Micro Vacation” under the concept of “Camping +”, which provides a new way of thinking for the revival of Macau’s tourism.

The event focused on the new development of Macao and Hengqin, expanding students’ horizons and promoting cooperation between Macao and Hengqin to achieve a win-win situation in the future.