With a view to broadening the research vision, experience, and understanding of the development of island tourism of the master's and doctorate students, the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management（FHTM）of the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) went to Dangan Town located in Zhuhai Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone from March 30 to 31, 2023. This experiential learning activity with the theme of “high-quality development of island tourism destinations" was led by Program Director Dr. Zhang Yang, along with 16 master’s and doctorate students.
With the assistance of Mr. Chen Jianhao, Deputy Mayor of the Dangan Town Government, and Mr. Rong Yuejun, Director of the Township Economic Development Office and Dangan Village Committee, the group first arrived at the town government located at Wailingding Island and afterward visited the Dangan Island in Lingdingyang. On the way to Dangan Island by speedboat the group had to overcome adverse weather conditions and strong sea waves. Then, under the leadership of the staff of the village committee on the island, the group inspected the wharf of Dangan Island, the residential area, the coastline, and the provincial-level macaque reserve that covers a large area of the island.
Group photo taken on the top of Dangan Island
On the morning of March 31st, the group had a discussion with the Dangan town government, the local tourism authority, and the person in charge of the neighboring island tourist destinations at Wailingding Island. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Wang Chuanwang, Director of the Dangan Town Social Affairs Service Center. The person in charge of the Wailingding Island neighboring islands gave a detailed introduction to the group on the tourism and social development of the Wanshan Islands marine development-related townships and its subordinating administrative villages. The students and the meeting participants conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as the development of the Wanshan Islands’ tourism products, ecological environment protection, rural community development, and primary-level governance based on their field trip experience. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Zhang Yang made a summary of the discussions and gave some suggestions for the development of local island tourism.
Meeting with local government
The experiential learning activity was rich in content, and the postgraduate students gained a practical understanding of the development of island tourism. At the same time, this experiential learning provides an opportunity for students to practice social science research methods such as participant observation and expert interviews. The students who attended the event said that through this activity they had the opportunity to learn more about the provincial macaque nature reserve on Dangan Island, broaden their knowledge, and the chance to understand more in-depth the complex relationship between tourism development and ecological environment protection through the briefing of local officials and forest rangers. At the same time, it increased their specific understanding of the sustainable development of tourism mentioned in textbooks.
