On January 16, 2026, the Second Hong Kong and Macao Youth Mainland Study Tour Alliance Study Tour Institution Negotiation Meeting, themed "Journey Through Time: A New Decade Begins," was successfully held in Luoyang City, Henan Province. Ms. Michelle Ou, Assistant Administrative Officer of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), represented the faculty at the negotiation meeting and delivered a keynote presentation titled "MUST GO: Encountering Multiculturalism—From Understanding to Appreciation." The presentation, approached from a student's perspective, provided an in-depth analysis of the interests and preferences of Macao youth, offering valuable insights for enhancing the appeal and experiential quality of study tour products. At the same time, the practices of FHTM at MUST in the field of study tourism were also introduced. By integrating theoretical insights with empirical cases, it provided the industry with an innovative study tourism model for reference, thereby contributing to the advancement of study tourism.
Scene of the Negotiation Meeting
The negotiation meeting brought together representatives from the Standing Secretariat of the Hong Kong and Macao Youth Mainland Study Tour Alliance, representatives from alliance member institutions, principals of Hong Kong primary and secondary schools, principals of Macao primary and secondary schools, as well as representatives from mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao study tour institutions. The meeting focused on three core themes: "resource sharing, precise alignment, and innovative experiences," incorporating various formats such as study courses, institution negotiations, and on-site visits. It aimed to establish an efficient and practical cooperation and alignment platform, further promoting communication and collaboration between mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao study tour institutions. Wang Xiangjie, Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, delivered a speech reflecting on the alliance’s achievements over the past decade. He noted that the alliance has connected cultural and tourism departments from 28 mainland provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as over 20 Hong Kong and Macao institutions. Through branded activities such as the "Hong Kong and Macao Youth Central Plains Culture Tour," the alliance has organized hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong and Macao youth to participate in exchange programs in mainland China.
Speech by Wang Xiangjie, Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
Ms. Michelle Ou Delivering a Keynote Presentation
During the negotiation session, representatives from FHTM engaged in face-to-face in-depth discussions with mainland institutions, conducting multiple rounds of consultations on topics such as curriculum design and resource sharing, laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration in the future.
This meeting has further injected momentum into study tour cooperation between Hong Kong, Macao, and the mainland. Moving forward, efforts will continue to improve platform development, deepen cross-departmental collaboration, develop premium study tour routes, and promote digital and experiential innovation, helping Hong Kong and Macao youth understand the motherland and build consensus through experiential learning, jointly embarking on a new decade of progress.
