The Macau Government Tourism Office organised the Macao Welcomes You Training Programmes for International Guests launch ceremony on Friday, during which its first seminar was also held, an MGTO statement released on that day said.
The statement noted that the training programmes are jointly organised with integrated resort operator MGM and provide online and offline training opportunities, covering topics such as the knowledge and skills of hospitality for foreign visitors.
Friday’s launch event and first seminar was attended by over 500 participants and guests, including business representatives and employees in the tourism and related industries, as well as students, according to the statement.
The first seminar entitled “Seminar on Islamic Etiquette and Cultural Customs” was themed “Islamic Religious Culture and Cultural Customs” and “Promoting Halal Awareness in Macao: Meeting the Needs of Muslim Tourism”, which had Islamic Association of Macau Imam Ding Shao Jie, and 3 Hani Enterprises Ltd. Managing Director Sharifa Leung as key speakers.
Imam Ding presented an overview of itinerary planning and concerns in serving Islamic visitors, among others, while Leung introduced topics such as the halal certification process and system, the statement said.
“Halal”, which means “permissible” in Arabic, advises the faithful how to eat according to Muslim religious customs
The statement added that during the launch, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes remarked that through themed seminars, workshops, training and online learning programmes, the training programmes aim to familiarise employees in the tourism and related sectors with hospitality knowledge and skills for international visitors so that they can be better equipped to serve international visitors from a diversity of destinations and market segments.
The term “international visitors” refers to those from outside China, i.e., Macau’s visitors from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Senna Fernandes also said that college students can also gain a deeper understanding of different cultural customs and be educated by the training programmes to work in the tourism industry in the future, the statement noted.
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes delivers her opening speech at the Macau Welcomes You training programme launch ceremony. – Photo: MGTO
