Greater Bay Area Main Headline

Academic seminar at IFTM discusses impact on tourism of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

IFTM held on 14 September an academic seminar to discuss the opportunities presented by the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The event had a special focus on how the project could support the positioning of Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure – a policy known locally as ‘One Centre’.

The seminar followed the publication by the Central Government on 5 September of the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The academic discussion was co-hosted by IFTM President Dr. Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan and IFTM Vice-President Dr. Connie Loi Kim Ieng. Scholars from the Institute attended the event. It took place in the Conference Room of IFTM’s Educational Hotel Pousada de Mong-Há on the Mong-Há Campus.

Dr. Vong emphasised in her remarks that IFTM, as a local public higher education institution, had been expending great effort in researching and promoting public policies, as well as in assisting the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government in its work. She said that the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin was an important move in advancing the implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In addition, it was a significant initiative for intensifying the realisation of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, stated Dr. Vong.

The IFTM President said that the Institute would strive to make the most out of the opportunities created by the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, particularly in the field of training new talent. That, Dr. Vong added, would contribute to the positioning of IFTM as the Tourism Education and Training Base for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a role the Institute is playing on behalf of the Macao SAR Government and in accordance with the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area.

Vice-President Dr. Loi said during the academic seminar that there were sizeable advantages in stimulating integration between Macao and the neighbouring Hengqin Island, part of Guangdong Province. The move would generate unprecedented support for Macao’s development and help the rebound of the city’s tourism sector post-COVID-19. Dr. Loi encouraged Macao’s young people to learn more about the In-depth Cooperation Zone, including by visiting Hengqin regularly, so as to understand the opportunities and new platforms to be made available under the master plan.

The Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is to cover a total area of 106 square kilometres. The project is described by the Macao authorities as key for the city’s long-term development, providing the SAR with new space and new opportunities to enhance its people’s welfare and livelihoods. The zone can also contribute to Macao’s prosperity and stability, facilitating the city’s closer integration with overall national development, according to the Macao SAR Government.

Other IFTM participants in the seminar included Acting Vice-Director of the School of Tourism Management Dr. Max Zhao Weibing, Acting Vice-Director of the School of Hospitality Management Dr. Clara Lei Weng Si, and Acting Vice-Director of the School of Continuing Education Dr. Cora Wong Un In. In addition, IFTM scholars Dr. Eve Ren Lianping, Dr. Simon Lei Kong, Dr. Jenny Guan Jieqi, Dr. Joe Zhou Yong, Dr. Frances Kong Weng Hang, Dr. Li Xiangping and Dr. Catherine Li Zhuo also took part in the academic event.

Participants discussed a range of topics linked to the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. These included: complementarity and integration between tourism resources in Macao and Hengqin; opportunities for collaboration in higher education, research, and professional training; development of new industries in Hengqin with an aim to promote Macao’s adequate economic diversification; and development and introduction to the Mainland of professional-skills recognition systems.