In October, IFTM’s School of Hospitality Management collaborated with integrated resort operator SJM Resorts SA to organise 5 familiarisation tours of the Grand Lisboa Palace resort. A total of more than 140 Year 1 students drawn from the Culinary Arts Management, Tourism Event Management and Hotel Management bachelor’s degree programmes, accompanied by IFTM academic staff, participated in the visits.
The familiarising tours encompassed various aspects of Grand Lisboa Palace. These included the hotel guest rooms, a demonstration of coffee-making at the Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant, a visit to the “Miffy Creative Show” exhibition, property tours, and experience-sharing sessions by senior team members of Grand Lisboa Palace.
Dr. Clara Lei Weng Si, Director of IFTM’s School of Hospitality Management, says that the Institute encourages Year 1 students to broaden their horizons by taking them “right to the heart of the industry” and allowing them to engage in dialogues with experienced professionals. This approach begins early in students’ education at IFTM, providing them with first-hand experience of the industry. Integrated resort tours also offer faculty members informal opportunities to interact with students, and, importantly, foster university-industry collaboration to prepare tomorrow’s leaders, according to Dr. Lei.
The scholar highlights IFTM’s close collaboration with local tourism, hospitality and events industries, to enhance students’ learning experience and research capacities. As part of IFTM’s whole-person development approach, students engage in various events and activities with the industry throughout their 4 years of studies at the Institute. “We thank industry partners like Grand Lisboa Palace for sharing that vision and realising it with us,” she says.
Dr. Lei adds: “Only through close cooperation with different sectors of society can further progress be made to develop Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Our first goal is to prepare the workforce that will be serving the industry, and its innate support is indispensable.”
Students participating in the familiarisation tours noted that this type of activity was eye-opening, providing insight into how their future careers might look, and offering valuable opportunities for learning.
School of Hospitality Management students taking part in the familiarisation tours provided a variety of feedback.
Cathy Thuranira, Hotel Management programme:
“First and foremost, I would like to thank all staff members who organised our visit to the Grand Lisboa Palace. For the majority of us, it was the first time we entered a resort of such high calibre, and it was mind-blowing! The opportunity we had was an eye-opening experience as to where we would like to work in the future. The experience is worth repeating, not only for seeing but learning.”
Bonnie Liang, Hotel Management programme:
“We greatly appreciate the arrangements of the Grand Lisboa Palace team. The visit taught me a lot about the important role of the teleservices and reservation departments in a hotel, as well as the distinctive refreshments which are iconic snacks in Macao. The brand-themed hotel business model of The Karl Lagerfeld and Palazzo Versace Macau hotels impressed me the most, and raised my awareness about fashion-designer hotels and the luxury market.”
Jackson Kuan, Tourism Event Management programme:
“This trip opened our eyes. It not only increased our knowledge, but also enabled us to absorb valuable extracurricular experience. All in all, it was a valuable trip.”
Kyla Marie Jimenez Estrada, Tourism Event Management:
“The tour was very informative, explaining the capabilities of the resort, like hosting different kinds of events. I was very honoured that I could learn a lot from the experts in the events industry: that will help me a lot. Also, the showcasing of various hotel rooms and their themes impressed me.”
Vanessa Kam Ribeiro, Culinary Arts Management programme:
“Our visit to Grand Lisboa Palace, including the Don Alfonso 1890 and Mesa restaurants, and The Karl Lagerfeld hotel, was an extraordinary journey into the realms of gastronomy, hospitality, and design. From learning the art of coffee-making and exploring the bustling kitchen of Don Alfonso to experiencing the refined luxury of The Karl Lagerfeld hotel, our tour provided invaluable insights and inspiration for our future careers in the hospitality industry.”
Carol Chan, Culinary Arts Management programme:
“With this activity, I learned a lot about catering, such as different types of coffee-brewing method, The visit to several Forbes Travel Guide 5-star fine-dining restaurants at the Grand Lisboa Palace expanded my horizons.”
John Nathaniel Esguerra Españo, Culinary Arts Management programme:
“The event dedicated to brewing coffee was a resounding success, engaging students in an immersive and educational experience. Through hands-on activities, expert talks, and coffee tastings, participants gained a deeper understanding of the art and science behind brewing coffee. By emphasising sustainability and social responsibility, the event instilled a sense of ethical awareness among students, empowering them to make informed choices as coffee consumers. Overall, the event not only celebrated the rich history and culture of coffee, but also inspired a new generation of coffee enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the world of speciality coffee.”
