The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Macau University of Science and Technology successfully hosted an academic lecture on October 20, 2025. The event featured Associate Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor Dr. Qingming CUI from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, South China University of Technology, as the distinguished guest speaker. His lecture, titled “Research on Wellness Tourism Based on Relational Ontology”. The lecture was attended by Professor Ben K. Goh, Dean of FHTM, Assistant Dean Dr. Yang ZHANG, Associate Professor Dr. Jun WEN, Assistant Professor Dr. Menglong XIA, Lecturer Dr. Yang ZHOU, and nearly 100 students. This seminar was sponsored by Macao Foundation.
Group Photo
Dr. Cui, whose research focuses on tourism human geography, wellness tourism, and the ethics of animal tourism, has made significant academic contributions to the theoretical development of wellness tourism and the application of cultural-geographical perspectives. In his lecture, Dr. Cui introduced Relational Ontology as the core theoretical framework, exploring the intricate interconnections between humans, nature, and health. He elaborated on the dynamic, multidimensional, and cultural characteristics of wellness tourism, illustrating his arguments through diverse examples such as desert sand therapy, migratory “snowbird” wellness practices, and the traditional Chinese concept of Qi. Dr. Cui emphasized that health should not be regarded merely as a physiological condition but rather as a dynamic process shaped by the interaction among individuals, environments, and social elements.
Prof. Ben K. Goh (left) Presented a Souvenir to Dr. Qingming CUI (right)
During the interactive session, faculty members and students actively engaged in discussions on topics such as the authenticity of animal tourism and field research experiences. Drawing upon his extensive research conducted in various locations, Dr. Cui shared insights on methodological approaches and reflections from his studies on animal tourism ethics and wellness tourism practices. He encouraged students to pursue innovative research through interdisciplinary perspectives.
Dr. Cui Gave a Lecture
