MICE Management Training Seminar for Representatives from Portuguese-speaking Countries Undertaken by SCS-CityU Successfully Concludes

The MICE Management Training Seminar for representatives from Portuguese-speaking Countries organized by the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macau) lasted from 17th May to 3rd June 2014. The strong support and full cooperation of leaders and staff of Forum Macau, Macau Fair &Trade Association, and City University of Macau, ensured the successful conclusion of the training project. Through a series of MICE related interactive lectures and visits, the students personally experienced the potential of Macau’s diversified tourism development. By attending the Beijing Fair and visiting enterprises in Beijing, they also experienced the powerful development of China. The planning of lectures in this seminar particularly balanced the integration of theory and practice. The contents of the lectures focused on multiple interactions of tourism and exhibition, intensifying Macau’s role as a world tourism and leisure center. The case studies discussed showed how government decisions and policies support the healthy development of tourism and exhibition. Visiting Macau helped the students realize that the economy, particularly the tourism and exhibition economy of Macau, is a part of the over-all national strategy and this realization further strengthens their confidence in cooperating with Macau and Mainland China on the Macau and Portuguese-speaking Countries Commerce and Service Trade Platform.  Institutional representatives from three Portuguese-speaking Countries have expressed their interest in cooperating with Macau tourism and exhibition education or enterprise and have taken back an MOU draft which could be signed after institutional confirmation.  While staying in Macau, the students experienced the professional service and hospitality of local enterprises and citizens. They left Macau with nothing but wonderful impressions of the city and very positive feedbacks.

This Seminar, organized by the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macau), undertaken by SCS-CityU and supported by Macau Fair &Trade Association,  holds the mission of promoting joint development on economy cooperation among China and Portuguese-speaking countries.  This mission was confirmed in the Twelfth Five-year Plan of the People's Republic of China and opened up a new era for future development of Macau as it was the first time that the central government especially mentioned Macau in the Five-year Plan. The Twelfth Five-year Plan clearly stated that the central government supports Macau in building a world tourism and leisure center and accelerating the construction of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Commerce and Service Trade Platform. This means that in the process of developing diversified tourism economy, Macau should not only promote trade with Mainland China but also with Portuguese-speaking countries as a channel of communication and a service platform.

Participants in this seminar are MICE relevant officials, scholars and professionals from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor. Portuguese-speaking countries are emerging markets of economic development and the interaction among Portuguese-speaking countries and Mainland China through Macau has profound strategic significance for each side, making the seminar highly attractive. SCS-CityU is the honored to host the seminar. The inter-Faculty project team led by Vice Rector of CityU, Prof. Aliana Leong, dedicated themselves to the project for over three months, starting from preparations at the early stage, service and logistic support in the mid stage and tracking and finishing in the later stage. The overall support and cooperation of Forum Macau, the CityU team ensured the accomplishment of the project’s goal. The average score of the participants’ comprehensive evaluation of seminars, visits, and logistic support was 4.62 (out of 5) which means an overall satisfaction of 92.45%.

At the closing ceremony, Mr. Madalena Maria Pereira dos Santos, Training Director of Hotel and Tourism Department of the Republic of Angola, delivered a speech on behalf of all the participants. He said the seminar offered a great opportunity of promoting mutual communication and enhancing strengths of Portuguese-speaking countries. According to him, the seminar made them cognizant of the economic status of Portuguese-speaking countries and Macau. It also made them aware of the latest tourism business opportunities and MICE related development strategies. He continued to say that he appreciate the CityU team who offered services, who wonderfully impressed  and helped rekindle a fantastic team spirit among them.

“I wish there will be more opportunities for similar seminars which will promote mutual understanding among Portuguese-speaking countries, Macau and Mainland China,” he concluded.

The seminar activities have all reached their target and accomplished their objectives. SCS-CityU successfully re-acquainted  Portuguese-speaking countries with China - the “peaceful, amiable and civilized lion”. On the aspect of Macau as a commerce and service cooperation trade platform between Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries, three institutions from two Portuguese-speaking countries have expressed interest in cooperating with Macau tourism and exhibition education or enterprise and intend to sign an MOU this year.  As for the building of world tourism and leisure center of Macau, the participants experienced the full potential of Macau’s diversified tourism development and they promised to recommend Macau as a venue for later seminars to their respective countries.

The SCS-CityU expresses sincere thanks to Forum Macau, government departments, Macau Fair &Trade Association, Macau International Institute, tourism enterprises and leaders and faculties of CityU for their support and cooperation which made this event an astounding success.