From July 5th to 7th, 2023, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.), who acted as a supporting unit, participated in the Asian Pacific Tourism Association Conference (APTA) 2023, hosted by the Asia Pacific Tourism Association and organized by Chiang Mai University. Led by Dean Goh Kok Beng, and Program Director Jose Wong, more than 30 teachers and students participated in one of the highest-level international conferences in the field of tourism studies.
The conference attracted many scholars from universities and research institutes, including The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Purdue University, University of Houston, Washington State University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Yonsei University, The University of Macau, Wakayama University, The Japan Tourism Research Association, Prince of Songkhla University, Chiang Mai University, among others. The conference aims to promote the development of global tourism in the post-pandemic era, enhance the exchange of experts in the field of tourism, and provide an international platform for tourism and hospitality experts to share their latest research findings, address existing issues and challenges, and discuss future research trends.
Figure 1. FHTM Group Photo
The conference program includes three keynote speeches, namely "Re-thinking Academic Research and Graduate Education in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Era of Big Data and AI" by Professor SooCheong Jang of Purdue University, Professor Kaye Chon of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Professor Perry Hobson of Breda University of Applied Sciences; "Rise of Smart Tourism in Thailand: Digitalization and Information Technology" by Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Director General, Tourism Authority of Thailand; and "Empowering Women in the Multicultural Workplace: Strategies for Success" by Professor WooMi Jo from the University of Guelph and Ms. Prachi Tahkur from World Women Tourism. All the keynote speeches won high praise from the experts and scholars.
Figure 2. The APTA General Session
The research outcome of M.U.S.T. proved fruitful at the conference. A total of 28 papers were accepted, including 22 presentation papers and 6 poster papers, with the highest number of accepted articles among all the academic institutions and universities. It shows that the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of M.U.S.T. is in line with the international frontier in tourism academic research. As always, the FHTM will continue to promote the internationalization and exchange of our profession, train more professionals for Macao, and expand the international influence of M.U.S.T.
