In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) organized a seven-day cultural tourism experiential learning and academic exchange trip to key cities along the Maritime Silk Road in Fujian—Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen—from December 11 to 17, 2024. This initiative aimed to enhance cultural exchange and understanding between higher education institutions in Macao and the mainland, integrate into the national development framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, broaden the research horizons of our postgraduate students, deepen their understanding of cultural tourism development, gain insights into China's unique maritime civilization, and improve their field research skills. The trip was led by Assistant Professor Hong Fang and involved 16 doctoral and master's students, with funding provided by the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR.
The academic exchange activity comprised three main components: visits to professional institutions, meetings with relevant government departments, and field research. The team visited Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, Minnan Normal University School of Business, Huaqiao University College of Tourism, and Xiamen University School of Management. The diverse characteristics of these institutions in discipline construction, teaching models, and research facilities provided significant inspiration for our faculty and students. During the discussion sessions, in-depth explorations were conducted on the construction and innovation of tourism education, feasible paths for cultural tourism industry development, academic research collaboration, and talent cultivation.
Professor Zeng Mi, Dean and Secretary of the College of Culture and Tourism at Zhangzhou Institute of Technology, introduced the design concept of their training base, which simulates real-life scenarios and emphasizes the deep integration of education and industry to accurately cultivate the talents needed by society. She expressed hopes for further substantive exchanges and cooperation with FHTM in the future.
Seminar at the College of Culture and Tourism, Zhangzhou Institute of Technology
Seminar at the College of Tourism, Huaqiao University
On-site investigation in Kuixia Village
Through visits and exchanges with local governments, academic discussions with professional institutions, and field research on cultural tourism projects, the team explored various valuable topics, including the sustainable development of folk culture and maritime culture, the protection and revitalization of World Heritage sites, the cultural identity of overseas Chinese, and tourism development strategies for ancient towns and villages. These experiences allowed faculty and students to reflect on the sustainable development path of cultural tourism in Macao while expanding their research horizons and gaining new academic inspiration.
This activity strengthened friendships between MUST and mainland universities, government agencies, and cultural tourism organizations, sharing research achievements in international tourism perspectives and applications in leisure management, further enhancing collaboration and exchanges between Macao and the mainland.
Student reflections
Tu Chuanji, Doctoral student, FHTM
As a doctoral student whose research focuses on cultural heritage tourism, I really benefited a lot from this experience learning tour. We not only inspected the effectively developed Tulou scenic area, but also saw the original style of Fujian Tulou in the undeveloped ancient towns and villages. In the contrast between the two style Tulou, I saw the hard work of cultural heritage revitalization practitioners and we have long way to go for the protection and sustainable development of Chinese cultural heritage. This also strengthened my determination to continue to work in this field, and inspired me to take practical actions to support for Chinese cultural heritage revitalization development.
Liang Yuqi, Doctoral student, FHTM：
During this journey, we visited many ancient villages. It was a rare opportunity to explore and step into the old buildings, witnessing the marks of time in them as well as the history they carry. It is truly precious to delve into the observation of the destination rather than just skimming through it. During the trip, I also had the chance to think deeply about the destination, realizing that these ancient villages are not just "attractions" waiting to be developed; they are places where locals have lived for generations and carry many people's emotions. Therefore, research on the destination should not be superficially confined to the most apparent state. I am very pleased to have had this opportunity to broaden my horizons, increase my knowledge, and witness my own growth.
Huang Yuxuan, Doctoral student, FHTM：
During this process, I was deeply impressed by the practical training base of the Zhangzhou Institution of Technology and the laboratories of the School of Tourism at Huaqiao University. Students from Zhangzhou Institution of Technology learn in an environment closely integrated with industry, and the knowledge and skills they acquire are quickly transformed into practical industry experience. I truly appreciated the design ingenuity of the school’s educational model, which is highly instructive. During my visit to Huaqiao University, I received valuable feedback on research related to residents and benefited greatly. Additionally, during the tour of the university's laboratories, I saw many cutting-edge research facilities that combine various disciplines. This not only broadened my horizons but also inspired many new academic ideas.
