To bridge between academic theory and industry practice, Year 4 Tourism Business Management students recently took part in an insightful fieldtrip to Shunde and Guangzhou. This experiential learning journey was specifically designed for two core subjects, including Destination Marketing and Management and Smart Tourism.
The trip began at the Shunde Food Museum, where students explored the cultural and culinary heritage of Shunde through smart display technologies. The group continued to Guangzhou Leafun Culture Science and Technology Co., Ltd., a leader in cultural technology integration. In the guided tour, students were captivated by the digital screens and 3D walls, sparking discussions on visual storytelling and visitor flow design. Innovations like the LED "Tech Tree" and spherical screens demonstrated the "collision" between data logic and spatial experience design. The group also observed how technology can revitalize culture, turning cold code into a language for storytelling.
A highlight of the visit was a seminar session by the Creative Planning Director, Mr. Jiang Honglan who shared market insights and Leafun’s strategies. He stressed that high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry relies on the core industrial carriers, such as traditional scenic areas, cultural and tourism districts, and theme parks. These are complemented by key enhancement strategies, such as the revitalisation of cultural IPs, innovative operating models, commercial flow design, packaging through themed scenes, and the digitalisation of historical landscapes.
This experiential learning and professional exchange offered students a rare look at how businesses integrate marketing strategies and smart technologies to resolve tourism-related problems.
