Interview by Rui Pastorin
The 16th UTM-UN Tourism Training Programme kicked off yesterday with an opening ceremony at MGM COTAI, with this year’s focus on “The Transformative Power of Technology and Events Industry”.
The ongoing training programme, which concludes on Friday, organised by the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) in conjunction with UN Tourism and sponsored by integrated resort operator MGM, is hosted at both MGM COTAI and UTM’s campus and gathers over a dozen speakers and 19 programme participants of different backgrounds from tourism government representatives to industry leaders.
A UTM statement provided at yesterday’s launch ceremony added that the future of Al in meetings and events, digital marketing tools for smart destination management, digital skills for industry professionals, and the role of technology in enhancing destination sustainability are the four key areas to be explored over the next three days. Presentations will be delivered by industry leaders and scholars from renowned organisations, associations, and universities, the statement underlined.
UTM Rector Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan pointed out in her speech yesterday that UTM has collaborated with UN Tourism since 2016, adding that the programme has, over the years, explored a variety of topics, drawing 375 participants from different parts of the world over its past 15 editions.
Vong pointed out that “the MICE industry is already a cornerstone of the local tourism sector. Current estimates indicate that Macau is on course to have hosted around 1,500 MICE events this year alone”, while business visitors participating in MICE events in the first half of 2024 spent over twice as much as the average tourist, with the sector contributing the equivalent of over US$300 million (2.4 billion patacas) to the local economy.
Elaborating on this year’s edition, UTM’S Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training Director Judy Wong Wai Teng told the Post that technology and how it can help at the operational level, engage attendees and enhance their participation experience, is the training programme’s focus, along with how it “can help improve the sustainability of the destinations”.
She added that the programme is designed for participants from Asia and the Pacific and is a “platform for people”, bringing them together and enabling exchanges.
Wong went on to say that though some might think that countries are operating at an advanced level, different countries may have their own needs. “So, we may need to listen to them and try to get to know what they really need”.
Moreover, with the advancement of technology changing the industry, it is important for people from different countries to “get to know what is happening in different regions”, with UTM inviting experts to share their expertise, as well as country representatives to talk about what is happening in their respective countries.
“This is a chance for them to get to know each other, their country’s conditions and restrictions and challenges”, adding that this is what she anticipates to see in the coming days.
Macao University of Tourism (UTM) Rector Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan delivers a speech at MGM COTAI yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 16th UTM-UN Tourism Training Programme. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
UTM’S Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training Director Judy Wong Wai Teng poses at MGM COTAI yesterday.
