This tour immersed the UTM students with traditional fishing village culture at Macao, offering a viewpoint on the ship deck to enjoy the urban and coastal scenery of Macao, which presented a unique maritime and cultural tourism experience.
Intended to promote maritime tourism and preserve Macao’s distinct fishing village culture elements, together with the assistance of the Coordinator for Cultural and Heritage Management Programme, Dr. Ly Tuan Phong, GEG sponsored a maritime excursion trip for students in the Bachelor's degree programme. The cruise ship tour started on 14th September from the Barra Pier, and disembarked at the Coloane Pier. The group then visited a stilt house along the coast to learn about how to weave a fishing net and see a performance of “Salt Water Songs”, a dialectal folksong which was listed as one of the Macao’s intangible heritages. It offered an immersive learning experience in Macao’s fisherman culture while enjoying the scenic view along the coast.
The tour was led by two staff from the Fishermen’s Mutual Help Association of Macao, whom were descendants of fishermen. They introduced to the students and Dr. Ly the history of Macao and its fishing industry. The visit group was able to gain in-depth knowledge of the fishing industry development cycle in Macao through their personal experiences sharing with the supporting of some old pictures.
On the deck of the cruise ship, everyone took pictures and admired the iconic sceneries along the coast line while crossing under the humongous bridges. The staff enthusiastically answered students' questions, fostering an atmosphere of learning and interaction.
Inside a coastal stilt house near the Coloane Pier, everyone enjoyed the performance of the dialect ballad "Salt Water Songs" by Mr. Ho Kam Pui, an old Macao's saltwater singer, on the spot. Sonorous singing and charming Cantonese lyrics infected the visit group. Students also tried to learn how to weave fishing nets through the guidance of local fishermen. The young people learned actively and the elderly taught patiently. The scene was warm and harmonious.
At the end of the activity, the students received shell and fishing net souvenirs prepared by the staff. This activity not only broadened the students’ understanding of the local fishing village culture, but also supported the upgrading and transformation of Macao’s traditional fisheries and fishermen to adapt to the development of modern tourism.
Reflecting on the visit, participating students said the tour was highly beneficial for their personal development. They noted that it has enabled them to appreciate traditional industry and intangible heritage from various perspectives, thereby enhancing their cultural awareness.
The initiative was part of UTM’s long-standing commitment to an education model that integrates theory with practice. By facilitating site visits, UTM aims to expand students’ horizons and foster a broader mindset, enriching their academic and personal development.