From September 12 to 14, 2025, Assistant Dean Professor Jose Wong of Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM), Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), led a delegation of faculty members and students to participate in the 2025 Annual conference of the Tourism Geography Commission of the Geographical Society of CHINA, where they also served as conveners of a parallel session. The active participation of the delegation showcased the faculty’s academic professionalism and growing influence in tourism studies. Recognized as China’s premier annual gathering in tourism geography, the conference enjoys wide-reaching impact across academia and industry. Seven veteran scholars were invited as keynote speakers, and around 500 faculty members and students from institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Peking University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University and Nankai University attended. Throughout the event, MUST delegates engaged with experts and peers, presented their latest research findings and joined discussions on future directions for tourism scholarship.
Group Photo of FHTM’s Delegation
Held at Qingdao University in Qingdao, China, the conference was themed “The Academic Mission of Building a Tourism Powerhouse”. It brought together numerous scholars from the fields of culture and tourism studies both domestically and internationally. Participants shared their research outcomes and experiences, engaging in in-depth discussions on the construction of a tourism academic system under the new cultural mission. The event aimed to deeply implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and to fulfill the responsibilities and roles of tourism geography in the national strategy of building a strong tourism country. FHTM teachers and students actively participated in the event, fostering academic exchanges and strengthening ties between Macau and mainland higher education institutions. The conference not only provided a platform for showcasing research achievements but also laid a solid foundation for future academic collaboration.
Group Photo of Participants in the Parallel Session “Tourism Geography and Regional Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”
Prof. Jose Wong, Assistant Dean of FHTM, Prof. Chen Ganghua of Sun Yat-sen University’s School of Tourism, Ms. Li Xiaoling (Executive Deputy Editor of Tropical Geography), Associate Professor Lisa Wan of The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, and Associate professor Zhao Ying of Sun Yat-sen University’s School of Tourism jointly served as conveners of the parallel session titled “Tourism Geography and Regional Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”. They meticulously organized the academic exchange event, which attracted numerous scholars from the Greater Bay Area and surrounding regions. During the session, conveners and participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key issues such as collaborative development models, policy support, and innovative practices in the cultural and tourism industries of the Greater Bay Area. The exchange of academic perspectives contributed valuable scholarly support to the high-quality development of the region’s cultural and tourism sectors.
In addition, FHTM delegation was highly active throughout the conference, participating in various academic exchange activities. With solid professional knowledge and innovative research perspectives, they engaged in in-depth discussions with scholars from different institutions, earning high recognition from experts on-site. During these exchanges, the expert panel provided targeted and constructive feedback on issues related to research methodologies, data analysis, and future research directions, offering valuable guidance and inspiration for students’ subsequent academic work.
PhD Student Presentation Session from FHTM
The vitality and academic capabilities demonstrated by FHTM delegation received high praise from participating scholars. The conference not only provided a platform for showcasing research achievements but also strengthened academic ties between Macau and mainland institutions, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Moving forward, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management will continue to actively participate in domestic and international academic conferences and related activities, promoting exchanges in tourism research and contributing to the cultivation of high-quality talents.