Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management

Program Introduction

Duration of Study

The normal duration of this course is 3 year,and the maximum duration is 6 years.
Teaching Approach

Face-to-face Teaching
Teaching Language

Chinese/English
Academic Field

Tourism and Hospitality Management
Course Introduction

The Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management program aims to train tourism professionals who will be able to promote the philosophy of tourism with high academic standards. The program offers five research areas: Hospitality Management, MICE Management, Gaming Management, Cultural Heritage Management, and Sustainable Tourism Development. Taking advantage of Macau’ strategic position as Asia’s prime tourism, entertainment, gaming & leisure center, the Faculty implements a strict teaching and administration system. It has close liaison with institutions overseas, giving graduates the most updated knowledge and skills in tourism-related areas enabling them to be senior managers in the industry. For these reasons and many more, the Faculty of International Tourism was named one of the “Top Ten Tourism and Hospitality Professional Education and Training Bases” by the China Hotel Association.

An applicant should have a related Master's degree, a deep understanding of tourism-related issues, and an innovative ability in research methods. During the study period, the student is required to publish papers in academic journals. After taking all required subjects, the student should independently compose a dissertation considered to be of academic value. The candidate has to pass an oral defense to obtain the Ph.D in Tourism Management.

Study Plan

I. Study Duration

The normal study period of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management program is 3 years, with the maximum study period of 6 years.

II. Study Mode

Lectures

III. Medium of Instruction

Chinese and English

IV. Majors

Hospitality Management
MICE Management
Gaming Management
Cultural Heritage Management
Sustainable Tourism Development

V. Academic Field

Tourism and Hospitality Management

VI. Course Structure

Table 1: Core Courses (8 Credits)

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
DPTZ01	Advanced Research Methodology	2
DPTZ02	Macro Tourism Economics Analysis	2
DPTZ03	Strategic Tourism Management	2
DPTZ04	Literature Review	2

Table 2: Specialization Elective Courses (2 Credits)

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
DPTH01	Theories of Hotel Management and Comparative Case Studies	2
DPTM01	Comparative Studies of MICE Development in the world	2
DPTG01	Theories and Methodologies of Gaming Sociology	2
DPTC01	Case Analysis of Cultural Heritage Tourism	2
DPTS01	Sustainable Tourism Development Studies	2

Table 3: Dissertation (30 Credits)

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
DPTZ00	Dissertation	30

VII. Study Requirements

Students are required to complete four core courses from Table 1 during the first two semesters, a total of 8 credits.
Students are required to complete one elective course from Table 2 based on their supervisors’ advice, a total of 2 credits.
Read at least 60 journal articles (a minimum of 30 articles in English or translated from English) and write a literature review.
After completing the required courses, students can start writing the thesis proposal. Students can continue their dissertation research and write upon completion of the thesis proposal defense.
Interim check needs to be conducted during dissertation composition. Every two months, students are required to submit dissertation progress reports to their supervisors and the faculty.
The doctoral students should publish a conference paper (The paper has also been included in the conference proceedings and published in written form) and a level 2 journal paper during their study period (high IF publication is encouraged). Macau University of Science and Technology should be the first and sole author affiliation. Doctoral students must be the first author second author or corresponding author of the paper. In addition, the topic should be related to hospitality and tourism management.
Investigation research should be conducted on the practical issues related to dissertation topic selection.
At least 80,000 words are required for a Chinese dissertation. If the dissertation is written in English, at least 200 pages or at least 50,000 words is required. (Font: Times New Roman, space: double space, font size: No. 12, format: APA format, company background introductions, interviews, questionnaires, and a large number of summaries should be included in the appendix, but will not be counted toward required pages).
Pass the assessment and proceed with the defense.
Upon completion of all required credits as prescribed in the study plan and successfully passing the dissertation oral defense, the student will be awarded the Ph.D. degree in Tourism Management.

*The study requirements apply to students who enroll in the 2023/2024 academic year and beyond, as well as to students who enrolled before the 2022/2023 academic year but have not yet graduated.

VIII. Study Period

The duration for taking all courses is 12 months and the duration for dissertation composition is 24 months.
In general, classes will be arranged Monday to Friday, day and night time.

IX. Graduation Requirements

Upon approval from the Senate of the University, a Doctoral Degree will be conferred on a student when he or she has:

Completed and met the requirements as prescribed in the study plan of his or her program within the specific study period, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.50 *or above (excluding dissertation)
Abided by the regulations of the University
Cleared all charges and returned all University’s property and equipment borrowed

* Students admitted before Academic Year 2018/2019， please refer to the rules and regulations as stipulated in the intake academic year study plan.

Note: All curriculums and study plans are based on the newest announcement of the Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau.

※ In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.

Course Description

1. Advanced Research Method

The subject is designed to equip students with advanced research methods in decision-making and policy analysis. The interactive teaching and case study methods will be used in the　delivery of the subject. Upon completion of the subjects, the students should be able to effectively use the quantitative methods learnt in the subjects in analyzing and solving the complex problems they may face.

2. Macro Economics Analysis in Tourism

Tourism is recognized as an economic activity of global significance. This complex and multi-faceted industry plays an important role in the economies of many developed and less developed countries. Although the impact of the tourism industry on economic life is generally positive, the economic costs are not insignificant. Additionally, the economic benefits of tourism may be offset by adverse environmental and social consequences. The major objective of this course is to give the macroeconomic picture of tourism’s role within national economies, with specific reference to the Macau and other countries cases. Since socio-cultural and environmental impacts also form an essential part of the evaluation of the long-term advantages and disadvantages of tourism development, these issues will also be covered in some detail.

3. Strategic Tourism Management

The major objective of this course is to create an awareness of the strategic planning process and how it influences organizations in the travel industry. Students will gain a thorough understanding of tourism policy making and learn how to establish and apply innovative strategic planning approaches that are in line with corporate policies.

Students will learn about the relationship between policy and practice and how to develop effective mechanisms to monitor issues and trends. The necessary tools needed to analyze, define, plan and manage the changing tourism environment will be explored.

4. Theories of Hotel Management and Comparative Case Studies

The Theories and practices of Hospitality Industry in today's rapidly changing global marketplace will be review. It encourages students to plan, develop, market, and manage hotels in the international arena. International Hospitality’s issues and trends will be explored through Comparative Cases.

5. Comparative Studies of MICE Development

This is a course designed to enhance the students’ knowledge and skills in the planning and management of special events including gallery openings, festivals, exhibitions and sporting events in the global arena. Comparative Studies method will be used to evaluated the international trends in MICE development

6. Theories and Methodologies of Gaming Sociology

This course will cover topics related to gaming and society. We will examine briefly the history of the gaming industry in leading casino cities, and the social consequences generated by it. Works of theorists, such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, and Mead will be considered. Four tendencies in the development of the gaming industry will be covered: legalization, popularization, entertainment, and modernization.

7. Case Analysis of Cultural Heritage Tourism

This course analyses the nature and importance of cultural heritage as capital for tourism. Issues of cultural and artistic authenticity, identity production and marketing, and commodification of both the tourists and the toured will further be examined. Case studies from Macau and other parts of the world will be studied to identify specific socio-economic and cultural costs and benefits associated with this kind of tourism. The course will also explore approaches and policies of cultural heritage management and conservation to enable sustainable tourism development, with particular emphasis on the cases of Macau and Pearl River Delta.

8. Literature Review

This course involves extensive literature reviews of tourism and hospitality management. It explores tourism practices as major worldwide cultural, social and economic forces. The literature review examines travel history, policy, trends and problems in the industry. It evaluates the impact of tourism at different levels and discusse marketing principles associated with the hospitality industry.

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