The Macao Institute for Tourism Studies’ (IFTM) Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training held a training workshop themed “Capacity Building for Sustainable Tourism Planning, Food & Beverage and Events” for tourism officials from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) from July 3-4, according to an IFTM statement on Thursday.
The statement noted that this marked the fifth year that the higher education institution participated in the annual training initiative between the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, or Forum Macao.
The participants comprised seven officials from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe, according to the statement.
During the workshop, Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) Architect João Carlos Telo Mexia introduced Macau’s historical development and sustainable tourism planning. The statement added that IFTM Prof. Wilco Chan (陳偉雄) and Hugo Robarts Bandeira gave an overview of mainland China’s regional cuisines and food trends, and oenology’s application and importance to the hospitality industry, and the social implications of serving and tasting wine.
Moreover, the statement said that Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) welcomed the participants for a visit to the Galaxy International Convention Centre and Galaxy Arena, and the integrated resort. Giving their presentation in Portuguese, representatives from GEG’s MICE Department also introduced participants to newly-developed and current MICE facilities.
The Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training Centre was set up in 2016 and aims to “enhance human capital for the tourism industry and the promotion of sustainable tourism”, according to the statement.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) on Thursday shows tourism officials from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) listening to a presentation during the training workshop.
