The 22nd Asia Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference

 

As one of the co-organisers of the 22nd Asia Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference (APTA 2016), IFT would like to bring to you the APTA 2016 which will be held in 1-4 June 2016 in Beijing, China. Organized by APTA with the co-organising institute, Beijing International Studies Univerity, the Conference is now calling for abstract with submission deadline by 21 February 2016.

 

For more details, please visit the Conference website at http://apta2016.wix.com/index .

 

 

Top

First preliminary meeting of the GReAT Alliance

The Global Research Alliance in Tourisum (GReAT) is initiated by IFT to affirm the urgent need to address the most persistent and important research issues, problems, and unresolved questions in tourism on a global scale, through a worldwide network of institutional partners working and pooling together their collective knowledge and resources.

The first preliminary meeting of GReAT was held on 12 October 2015 in IFT together with the founding members from renowned tourism research centres and universities in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Joining the meeting, there were Professor Christopher Ryan, University of Waikato, New Zealand; Professor Noel Scott from Griffith University, Australia; Dr. Kamilla Swart and Dr. Brendon Knott from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Centre for Tourism Research in Africa, South Africa; Dr. Niramit Kunanuwat and Ms. Sawraya Rojana-Anun from Suan Dusit University, Thailand; Dean Haemoon Oh, Dr. Brian Mihalik and Dr. Richard Harrill from University of South Carolina, US; Dr. Frederi Bouchon from Taylor's University, Malaysia; Dean Amitabh Upadhya from Skyline University College, UAE. 

Top

IFT’s Tourism Research Centre hosts TOURISM 20:20 international symposium on the past and future of tourism & launches initiative towards Global Research Alliance in Tourism

During the TOURISM 20:20 international symposium, the Director of the IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC), Professor Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko signed a Joint Statement with the founding (working committee) members of the new Global Research Alliance …

During the TOURISM 20:20 international symposium, the Director of the IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC), Professor Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko signed a Joint Statement with the founding (working committee) members of the new Global Research Alliance in Tourism (GReAT) coming from 8 renowned tourism research centres and universities in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, witnessed by the UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and IFT’s President, Dr. Fanny Vong.

The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), through the IFT Tourism Research Centre, hosted the TOURISM 20:20 international symposium on 12 October at IFT new Taipa campus. Scholars, industry executives, and educators in the area of tourism from Macao and around the world attended the event and shared ideas on tourism development over the last 20 years and discussed challenges ahead in the next 2 decades. The symposium is one of the series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of IFT.

 

During the opening session, Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomed all the delegates, which included more than 120 participants from the academic community and from the industry coming from at least 10 countries and regions.

 

After that, a signing ceremony took place during which the founding (working committee) members of the new Global Research Alliance in Tourism (GReAT) signed a Joint Statement witnessed by the UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and IFT’s President, Dr. Fanny Vong. The Joint Statement affirms the urgent need to address the most persistent and important research issues, problems, and unresolved questions in tourism on a global scale, through a worldwide network of institutional partners working and pooling together their collective knowledge and resources. The Director of the IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC), Professor Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko was joined by nine partners from renowned tourism research centres and universities in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States in signing the Joint Statement.

 

During the symposium, discussants including Mr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Dr. Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Chairman, Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA), Mr. Xu Jing, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO together with Dr. Kamilla Swart, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa reviewed and exchanged ideas on the lessons from the past and challenges for the future of tourism industry. Another session covering the past and future of tourism education and knowledge was discussed by Dr. Niramit Kunanuwat, Suan Dusit University, Thailand, Dean Haemoon Oh, University of South Carolina, US, Professor Noel Scott, Griffith University, Australia, and Professor Christopher Ryan, University of Waikato, New Zealand.

 

About the symposium

TOURISM 20:20 international symposium examined tourism development over the last 20 years and looked at the challenges ahead in the next 20. Tourism has progressed tremendously in the last twenty years. Rapid globalisation and integration, technological advances, climate change, the advent of low-cost travel and accommodation, and more open visa policies are but a few of the great changes that shaped travel. While the last two decades brought forth momentous change for all countries and for the travel industry, it also portended great adversity and difficulties on issues of security, freedom to travel, equality and emergent diseases, and conflict. Issues including how has travel changed in the last 20 years, the lessons have been learned, how has the travel industry coped with change, the opportunities and challenges lie ahead among the questions TOURISM 20:20 addressed with the help of a few individuals best placed to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas on the matter.

Top

IFT hosts the 3rd International Conference on Events (ICE 2015)

 

The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) hosted the Making Waves in Macao: the 3rd International Conference on Events (ICE 2015) from 7 to 9 September 2015 with co-organiser Bournemouth University, United Kingdom. Following the success of and building upon the first International Conference on Events in Bournemouth and and the second in Sheffield, IFT is proud to host the conference this year. ICE2015 is one of the series of events celebrating the 20th anniversary of IFT.

During the opening session of the Conference, Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT and Caroline Jackson, Head of Department - Events & Leisure from Bournemouth University welcomed all the delegates, including 70 scholars and participants. It is hoped that a high level of quality, thought-provoking discussion and inspiration could be shared and exchanged.

The conference aims to examine a variety of contemporary issues in festivals and events. It aims to gather those interested in the exciting yet complex field of event studies and event management together to disseminate latest research, initiate collaborations and exchange ideas. Delegates from the academic community and from the industry come from 14 countries and regions. Keynote speakers include Cecilia Tse, Deputy Director of MGTO, Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, Professor Leo Jago, University of Surrey, UK, Professor Brian King, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, among many others. The conference provides a platform for like-minded people where they meet everybody, network with everyone and enjoy the inspiring discussions of latest research in events. IFT from the Macao community can also learn from all the experts gathered here in this conference.

Through organising and participating in international conferences, ITRC of IFT plays a more active role in fostering research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao in the long run.

Top

Submission deadline for the 3rd International Conference on Events (ICE2015) draws near

IFT will be hosting the  3rd International Conference on Events (ICE2015), 7 to 9 September 2015, and is co-organized by ITRC-IFT and Bournemouth University (UK). Co-chaired by IFT events faculty member Ubaldino Couto and BU faculty member Julie Whitfield, ICE2015  will feature leading thinkers, practitioners, and scholars on events, events management, and events research.

Top

The 8th International Conference on Services Management



The "8th International Conference on Services Management" is organised by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, U.S.A. with co-organisers including Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao, Oxford Brookes University, UK, and Vedatya Institute, India. This year's ICSM will be held between 28 and 30 November 2015 in Washington D.C.

 

For more information about the Conference and the sponsorship, please visit the Conference’s website http://www.cpe.vt.edu/icsm/


 
Top

The Lisbon Consortium Symposium



Organised by the University of Saint Joseph, Macao, the "Lisbon Consortium Symposium" will be held on 17 & 18 April 2015 in the Macau Art Museum Auditorium. The director of IFT Tourism Research Centre, Professor Leonardo Dioko, will be presenting the "Cultural Tourism in Macau" in Panel 2 - Cultural Spaces I on 17 April 2015. The program is avaialble for download at here. For more information, please visit www.usj.edu.mo 



Top

Seminar for HK principals on Global Career Trends in Tourism and Hospitality

ITRC researcher Mr. Patrick Lo presented the "Global Trends in Tourism and Hospitality: Opportunities and Prospects for Career Development" to about 100 Hong Kong high school principals when they conducted a site visit to IFT on 10 and 24 April 2015. Two of our graduates, Ms. Vicky Chen who graduated in Heritage Management in 2012 and Mr. Jason Tang who graduated in Hotel Management in 2011, recorded videos to share their experiences at IFT as well as their career development with our guests.


Top

ITRC announces findings of the Macao Tourism Carrying Capacity Study (TCC) for 2013 and 2014

ITRC held a Press Conference on 26 March 2015 during which research staff members shared the latest findings of the Macao Tourism Carrying Capacity Study (TCC) covering 2013 and 2014. According to the latest results, Macao’s tourism carrying capacity (based on the SCC approach) has increased in a stable manner compared to previous years, but reached a highpoint in 2013 and showed a leveling off in 2014.

Top

IFT hosts the 7th International Conference on Services Management

IFT is hosted The 7th International Conference on Services Management (ICSM-7) from 10 to 12 December 2014 with co-organisers Oxford School of Hospitality Management, Oxford Brookes University, UK, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, and the Institute for International Management and Technology (IIMT), India. Previously, the ICSM has been held in Oxford, UK, New Delhi, India, Pennsylvania, USA, and Cyprus.  

 

During the opening session of the Conference, Prof. Levent Altinay from the Oxford Brookes University and Prof. Leonardo (Don) A. N. Dioko from IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC)welcomed all the participants as the Co-Chair and Convenor, respectively, of the Conference.

 

Knowing the critical significance of service and its effective planning, delivery, management and marketing in the world’s economy and also the city of Macao as one of the world’s fastest growing tourism destination, the ICSM-7, themed Managing and Delivering Services in the Asian Century, gathered managers from the world’s service management industry, service marketing and management scholars, researchers, educators and trainers to discuss and share research and ideas on the dramatic change of Asian consumers’ service demand and fundamentals of services capes given by their vibrant economies. Keynote speakers included Mr. Po Chung, Hong Kong Institute of Service Leadership and Management (HKI-SLAM), Hong Kong, Prof. Charles Martin of Wichita State University, US, Prof. Noel Scott from Griffith University, Australia, Dr. Richard Teare of the Global University of Lifelong Learning as well as Prof. Dianne Welsh of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Besides, a cultural session was held on the last day of the conference series for the conference participants to join. Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage of IFT David Wong demonstrated the special ingredients and techniques of Macanese cuisine, to enable participants to experience the culture of Macao.

 

Founded in March 2005, the ICSM conferences series has become one of the prominent platforms for both academics and practitioners from worldwide to transfer knowledge in the area of services management. It has attracted a growing and very loyal following among its regular participants, which includes scholars, postgraduate students as well as industry practitioners in services management.


Top

IFT hosts the 5th Destination Branding and Marketing Conference with this year's theme on "Building Enduring Place Brands"

IFT is hosting The 5th International Conference on Destination Branding and Marketing (DBM-V) from 3 to 5 December 2014. Themed “Building Enduring Place Brands”, the Conference attracted 70 delegates representing 20 countries and regions as well as more than 30 higher educational institutions in addition to several representatives of DMOs and creative agencies.

During the opening session of the Conference, President of IFT Dr. Fanny Vong delivered an opening address and welcome remark as the Chair of the Conference. The DBM-V gathered destination marketing experts from academia, industry and tourism agencies to discuss effective strategies to overcome the myriad challenges many destinations and communities now face in a moment-obsessed, social-media savvy world and where originality and lasting authenticity of place brands become increasingly difficult to achieve. Co-organisers of DBM-V included University of South Carolina, US, the Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK and University of Surrey, UK. 

During the Conference, speakers from around the world presented notable keynote addresses,that included:

  • Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Macao

    Leverage on Both Old and New Elements to Unveil Macao

  • Dr. Robert Govers, Managing Research Partner of Good Country Index

    Nation Brands and Good Countries

  • Dr. Steven Pike, Associate Professor of Queensland University of Technology, Australia

    A Narrative Analysis of the First 40 Years of Destination Marketing Literature: 1973 2013

  • Mr. Malcolm Allan, Managing Director of Placematters Ltd.

    The Cork City Region Brand Proposition

  • Dr. Alan Fyall, Professor of Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, US

    Destination and Place Brands: Collaboration, Coexistence and Common Goals?

  • Dr. Nigel Morgan, Professor of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK

    The Wild Atlantic Way: Developing a Brand Proposition for the Worlds Longest Drive-Tourism Route

 Founded in December 2005 at IFT, the DBM conferences series has become one of the leading fora for practitioners and thinkers in the area of tourism destination branding and marketing. It has attracted a growing and very loyal following among its regular participants, which includes scholars, postgraduate students as well as industry practitioners in destination branding and tourism marketing. The first three biannual DBM conferences were held in Macao, and the fourth DBM conference was hosted at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.

Through organising and participating in international conferences, ITRC of IFT plays a more active role in fostering research locally and internationally. Its collaboration with other universities helps bring attention to the most relevant issues about tourism related developments as well as benefit the tourism development of Macao in the long run.


Top

The 7th International Conference on Services Management

IFT will be organizing the 7th International Conference on Services Management (7th ICSM) on campus during 10-12 December 2014.

Top

The 5th International Conference on Branding and Marketing

The 5th International Conference on Branding and Marketing (DBM-V) organized by Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao China (IFT) together with co-organizers including University of South Carolina, U.S.A, University of Surrey, U.K. and Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, Cardiff Metropolitan University, U.K. will be held at IFT, Macao China during 3-5 December 2014.

Top

The “Industry Briefing Session on Macao Human Resource Monitoring Survey” attracted more than 30 industry colleagues

 

 

During the Briefing, the Director of ITRC, Professor Don Dioko introduced the fiedlwork and survey methodology of the  Macao Human Resource Monitoring Survey (MHRM). Results gathered in 2013 were announced and compared with those in 2012.

Dr. Louis Vong, by using the MHRM data, revealed that once an intervention took place, employees' job stress cease to exert direct influence on their turnover intention, which suggests that work-family conflict is the underlying cause of discouraging stressful employees to remain in their jobs. 

 

Mr. Henrique Ngan, analysed from the MHRM data and revealed that employees with high levels of occupational stress and working in a low organisational climate are less likely to stay with their employer. He also discussed strategies of how organisations in Macao should enhance their organisational climate and provide measure to lower job stress in order to keep their staff from leaving.

The Briefing has attracted more than 30 industry colleagues to participate. 


Top

Industry briefing regarding MHRM project to be held

The Industry Briefing Session on the “Macao Human Resource Monitoring Survey” held by the IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC), will take place between 17:00-18:30 on Wednesday, 5th November 2014 at IFT’s Pousada Conference Room.

Top

ITRC Director on TDM Talk Show

ITRC Director on TDM Talk Show

ITRC Director Leonardo (Don) Dioko spoke with Jose Matias, host of Macau's TDM Talk Show, during the latest edition of the show which aired 4 September 2014. Don and Jose had an engaging conversation about the latest trends and development about Macau's tourism and the challenges ahead in its management, marketing, and policy decision-making.

Top

Findings in tourism and retail shopping research discussed at the 5th IFT-BU E-Conference

The fifth IFT-Bournemouth University E-Conference was held last 10 April 2014. This year's conference theme was on tourism and retail shopping.

Top

The 5th IFT-BU E-Conference

The 5th annual e-conference jointly held by the IFT’s Tourism Research Centre (ITRC) and the School of Tourism, Bournemouth University, UK will be during 17:00-20:30 on Thursday, 10 April 2014 in Pousada Conference Room, IFT Main Campus.

Top

ITRC announces latest updates of its Visitor Profile Study (VPS)

ITRC is releasing today the most updated results of its Macao Visitor Profile Survey (VPS) covering the third and fourth quarters of 2013.

Top

International Conference on Tourism Milestones - Preparing for Tomorrow (ICTM@2014)

IFT is the co-organiser of the International Conference on Tourism Milestones - Preparing for tomorrow (ICTM@2014). ICTM@2014 will be held on 31st March - 2nd April 2014 in Skyline University College, University City of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE.

Top