The Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) awarded the winners of its “Idea-cation” 2023 contest in a prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, with this year’s contest having attracted 79 contestants who were divided into six High School Category teams and 16 University (Open) Category teams, according to a statement from the higher education institution on the same day.
Now in its third edition, the contest focused on two themes: innovating Macau’s “1+4” diversification strategy; and revitalising rural tourism in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), particularly in the village of Heng Mei in Zhongshan city.
The contestants were required to “propose innovative ideas to support the tourism industry, with the aim of boosting the regional economy”, the statement said.
The contest got off the ground last month by taking 22 finalist teams to Zhongshan to learn about its cultural heritage, resources, and rural revitalisation efforts, according to the statement. The contestants also refined their proposals under the guidance of 16 industry and IFTM mentors prior to Sunday’s final contest, during which they pitched their ideas to a judging panel that comprised eight industry experts and four IFTM academics.
The statement noted that the gold award in the High School Category went to Colégio Diocesano de São José 6 team, while Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary School and Santa Rosa de Lima Secondary School (Chinese Section) took home silver and bronze respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Open Category, the gold, silver and bronze awards went to the City University of Macau team, the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) team and the IFTM team respectively.
According to the statement, IFTM President Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan said in the statement that the contestants’ proposals demonstrated thoughtful and creative solutions for enhancing tourism experiences and rural revitalisation.
Vong also said that competitions like “Idea-cation” provide real-world learning opportunities for students to develop practical solutions that support local communities and economies.
This handout photo taken and provided by the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) on Sunday shows its President Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan (second row, third from left) posing with the prize winners of this year’s “Idea-cation” competition.
