Key themes discussed at the APTA 2024 Conference included digitalisation and environmental sustainability. The conference – aligning with Macao’s economic diversification strategy – highlighted the city’s progress within the tourism sector, and UTM’s commitment to academic excellence and industry collaboration
Over 200 academics and tourism and hospitality professionals drawn from 26 countries and regions recently gathered in Macao for the annual conference of the Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA), with UTM acting as co-host. APTA’s meeting is one of the region’s largest annual events for promotion of top-notch research in the tourism and hospitality sector.
The APTA 2024 Conference took place at the Galaxy International Convention Center from 3 to 5 July, marking the conference series’ return to the city, after an edition was first held in Macao in 2010.
“This conference holds special significance as it marks the first major international event that we have hosted since our recent renaming as UTM,” said Dr. Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan, Rector of UTM, during her welcoming remarks at the conference’s opening ceremony. She referred to the change from Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) to Macao University of Tourism (UTM) last April.
“The partnership between UTM and APTA underscores the strategic importance of education and research in advancing the tourism and hospitality sectors,” she continued.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Vong also stressed UTM’s continuous commitment to academic excellence and collaboration with industry partners, aligning with Macao’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy. This strategy aims to develop the city as a hub for integrated tourism and leisure while fostering the growth of four emerging industries: big health, modern finance, high technology, and conventions and exhibitions, sports, commerce, and trade.
The APTA 2024 Conference offered a range of discussions and panel sessions covering topics including destination management, tourism marketing, consumer behaviour, cultural and heritage management, lodging management, and tourism and hospitality education.
Digitalisation and sustainability
Prof. Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Chairman of APTA, highlighted the significance of the conference returning to Macao after a decade-plus hiatus. “Macao has shown remarkable progress in the tourism sector, making it meaningful to bring the conference back to the city,” he stated. “It provided an opportunity to show our delegates the development of Macao’s tourism and hospitality industry, and how it can be sustained at an advanced level.”
The decision to co-host the event with UTM was due to the University’s strong reputation, he said. “UTM is famous for its education system and [its team’s] passion for nurturing young people so they can become tourism professionals, so it’s natural for us to work together with UTM to organise this conference,” added Prof. Hwang.
In relation to this year’s conference, he identified two major themes: digitalisation and environmental sustainability. “Digitalisation is a key issue in all fields, including tourism. Many of the papers presented focused on digitalisation, robotics, new technologies,” and other contemporary matters, the scholar explained. “Another important theme was the environment – how we can improve the sustainability of tourism.”
The APTA 2024 Conference was supported by various organisations, with Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), an integrated resort operator in Macao, serving as the principal sponsor. Underlining the support for the event, Mr. Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG, attended the opening ceremony with other company representatives. Mr. Lui is also Vice-Chair of the UTM Council.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Buddy Lam, Director of Corporate Affairs of GEG, highlighted the event’s contribution to advancing tourism education in the city. “Hosting this conference holds special significance for GEG as an industry stakeholder,” Mr. Lam emphasised. “It amplifies our efforts to foster Macao’s ‘tourism + MICE’ and ‘tourism + education’ synergies, highlighting UTM’s core strengths and Macao’s position as a hub for tourism education.”
‘Happiness designers’
APTA, a globally recognised organisation, is dedicated to advancing high-quality research in tourism and hospitality, with UTM being one of its institutional members. The organisation has been holding annual conferences since 1995. The group also produces the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, a scholarly publication that showcases cutting-edge research in this field.
The annual APTA gathering offers experts from around the world an opportunity to develop “a common understanding” of the latest tourism trends, Prof. Hwang said. “The APTA conference is all about how we can develop tourism together in a positive direction. The topics we cover help us understand where we are going” in that regard, “and how to make tourism more sustainable,” he explained.
The scholar also highlighted the importance of pioneering research to advance tourism and hospitality practices. “We often think of ourselves as ‘happiness designers’,” he noted. “Tourism is about the happiness of people, and our aim is to create an environment for tourists to be happy in any destination.”
Among the attendees who shared their latest insights during the three-day conference was Mr. Terrence Qiu Liangwei, a PhD candidate at UTM. He highlighted the significance of participating in academic events like the APTA conference.
“We gain insights into current trends and what others are working on, while also having the opportunity to share our research and receive valuable feedback,” Mr. Qiu remarked. “It also allows us to expand our network by connecting with scholars and students from different institutions.”
He expressed gratitude for opportunities he has had, in terms of either attending or helping to organise academic conferences, during his PhD studies at UTM. “UTM provides abundant academic resources,” he said.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
