To celebrate MUST’s 25th Anniversary, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) held the fourth lecture of “Seminars by Masters from Tourism Industry” on April 25th, 2025 at D Hall. Mr. Eric Chen, Vice President of Strategic Development of MGM China Holdings Limited was invited as the guest speaker and provided an inspiring lecture titled “Driving Growth and Innovation in Hospitality: Strategic Planning and Social Media Influencers in a Post-Pandemic Era”. Prof. Timothy Lee, Vice Dean of FHTM, Assistant Dean Dr. Wong Weng Chou, Program Director Dr. Feng Yan, Program Director Brenda Yang and more than 400 teachers and students attended the seminar.
Guest Speaker, FHTM Teachers and Students’ Group Photo
Vice Dean Prof. Timothy Lee warmly welcomed Mr. Chen, he encouraged students to focus on absorbing the knowledge shared during the lecture and to actively engage with the guest to explore the operational status and innovative trends in the hospitality industry in the post-pandemic era.
Prof. Timothy Lee Delivered an Opening Speech
Prof. Timothy Lee (Right) Presented a Souvenir to Mr. Eric Chen (Left)
Mr. Chen combined MGM China's global strategy with local practices, highlighting how MGM China constructs an "Art + Entertainment + Hospitality" ecosystem through its two integrated resorts in Macau. This includes Asia's first dynamic theater and over 600 pieces of museum-quality art collections. He discussed the strategy of "Art as Attraction" to attract younger consumers and enhance brand visibility in the social media era. Mr. Chen introduced the "Three C's Principle"—Creativity, Charisma, and Consumer Orientation—and encouraged students to value emotional connections in non-standardized services, emphasizing that this is the core competitiveness of the luxury hospitality industry that cannot be replaced by AI.
Mr. Eric Chen Gave a Lecture
During the Q&A session, students actively enquired about hot topics such as building customer loyalty in the post-pandemic era and strategies for developing lower-tier markets. Mr. Chen addressed each question by combining industry trends with his own experience and praised the students for their keen observations on industry issues. The atmosphere of interaction was lively, and students expressed that the lecture provided them with a clearer understanding of innovative directions in the hospitality industry and career development pathways.
FHTM Students Interacted with Guest Speaker
Mr. Eric Chen, currently Vice President of China Operations and Development for MGM China, is responsible for the company's strategic planning, business development, E-Commerce, and shared service support center in China. Mr. Chen is a Certified Public Accountant and has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of finance, IPO, auditing and business development in the United States and China.
