Seize the opportunities: Top reasons to study at CityU’s Faculty of International Tourism and Management
The Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM) has a mission to promote innovative teaching and research, cultivate high-quality tourism talents, and contribute to the social harmony and prosperity. It strives to become a highly recognized and influential internationalized faculty unit in Macao and the Asia-Pacific region with distinctive characteristics and robust industry-academia collaboration. FITM has a strong team of teachers, with globally renowned faculty members from diverse backgrounds, who play a crucial role in steering academic excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary knowledge.
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Top-Notch Subject and Distinctive Program Setting Recognized by International Accreditation
FITM offers an array of academic programs, including Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management, Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Master of International Hotel Management, and Doctor of Philosophy in International Tourism Management. The faculty prioritizes its teaching quality and value students’ quality development of discipline specialization with multiple competencies. Since 2020, the Hospitality & Tourism Management subject has been listed in the has been listed in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 and ranked among the top 20% of universities worldwide in 51-75 places. It is committed to teaching excellence and has accredited with the TedQual certification by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at all degree levels.
Ample Resources and Industry-Academia Collaboration to Nurture Talents
FITM has developed a distinctive educational approach that is supported by industry-academia collaboration. It has a wealth of industry resources, industry experts as mentors, and collaborates with its partners to organize academic competitions, seminars, and research projects. In recent years, the faculty has collaborated with leading companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to hold a series of events such as the integration of fishing and tourism project, the “One Trip, Multiple Destinations” Hengqin-Macao Study Tour Planning Competition, the hospitality skillset contest, and the Guangdong-Macao Ecotourism Training and Ecotourism Field Study, which has sparked the enthusiasm of faculty and students for research excellence. Faculty members publishing high-quality academic papers in international authoritative journals, publishing various academic works and textbooks, and undertaking various research projects. Its research output has increased in both quantity and quality.
In addition, FITM continuously expands its cooperation and establishes close partnerships with numerous well-known tourism companies in Macao and overseas, such as IHG InterContinental Hotel Group, MGM Macau, Sands China, Macao Convention and Exhibition Association, Shanghai Disney Resort, SJM Holdings Limited, Galaxy Macau, Wynn Macau, Regent Hong Kong, DFS Group, and the Disney Internship Program in the United States, providing an array of rewarding internship opportunities for students.
In October and November of this year, faculty and students visited Lisboeta Macau to learn and explore the facilities, the H853 Fun Factory, and other entertainment projects, helping students gain a deeper understanding of entertainment and leisure management. Additionally, to promote the development of local talents, FITM cooperates with local large-scale tourism companies to provide a series of assistance and talent development programs for outstanding local students. This month, faculty and students visited the Air Macau Operations Building (NXOB) located at Macau International Airport to conduct practical teaching activities. The field visit aimed to explore university-enterprise cooperation opportunities and help students understand the current development of the aviation industry in Macao and enrich their learning experience. This learning visit allowed students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the airline’s operations, including internal operations such as dispatch, check-in, cabin service, engineering maintenance, and other related operations, providing valuable insights for their future career development planning.
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Exchange Opportunities to Expand International Horizons
FITM is included in the cooperation network of the World Tourism Organization, empowering global academic and industry exchanges and allowing students to broaden their international perspectives through learning platforms. FITM has established partnerships with universities, companies, and institutions at home and abroad, including MODUL University Vienna, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Groupe ESC Troyes En Champagne, Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, South China Normal University, Hainan University, Hainan Normal University, Hunan Normal University, Guizhou Minzu University, China Academy of Art, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, and East China Normal University. These extensive networks enable mutual visits and exchanges between faculty and students, broadening their horizons in a diverse cultural environment and stimulating innovative thinking.
This month, FITM led students to visit the Weihai campus of Shandong University for a five-day academic exchange, allowing them to experience the local culture and history, understanding the city’s image and tourism characteristics from various aspects such as history, industrial tourism, architecture, and art. During the visit, faculty and students also participated in the “Winter Tourism Promotion and Cultural Tourism Brand Exchange Meeting” organized by the Huancui District Cultural and Tourism Bureau, exchanging ideas with experts and scholars from the academic and tourism industries in Weihai to explore new directions for cultural tourism.
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High-End Academic Activities Enhance Students’ Learning and Research Capabilities
In order to expand students’ research perspectives and abilities, FITM organizes a series of high-end academic lectures and exchange activities, such as lectures by renowned experts, graduate student salons, and alumni sharing sessions, to create opportunities for students to visit the industry and conduct academic exchanges.
Last year, FITM co-organized the 11th International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality with China and Spain. The conference in collaboration with international universities and associations. With the theme of “Opportunities and Challenges for International Tourism Development in the Post-Pandemic Era,” the conference attracted nearly 200 guests, scholars, in-services professionals from Spain, France, Portugal, Malaysia, mainland China, and Macao to share insights on international tourism development trends, discuss strategies, and enhance mutual understanding among domestic and international universities and scholars. Meanwhile, in order to further strengthen the joint efforts in cultivating talents in tourism management in the Greater Bay Area, FITM held a forum for graduate students in tourism management in the Greater Bay Area, attracting nearly 100 scholars from the Greater Bay Area, other regions in mainland China, and overseas to participate.
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Cultivate Interdisciplinary and Versatile Talents through Contest Events
As an applied interdisciplinary field, FITM is committed to nurture students’ abilities to put knowledge into practices. It actively organizes students to participate in various competitions at home and abroad, broadening students’ horizons, enhancing cross-cultural exchanges, and improving their innovative abilities in applying knowledge. In recent years, faculty and students have participated in more than 40 professional competitions in various fields, winning over 100 awards. For example, the faculty and student team won first place in the “Take Off! Accor Student Challenge” organized by Accor Group for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, and won multiple awards at the “2023 Macao Tertiary Institution Students Conference Challenge,” including first and third place. In addition, FITM, in collaboration with industry partners, to enhance students’ learning experience. It co-organized the final round of the “One Trip, Multiple Destinations” Hengqin-Macao Study Tour Planning Competition with Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Pan-Tourism Development Co., Ltd., Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Culture and Media Co., Ltd., and Zhuhai Hengqin Laisun Creative Culture City Co., Ltd. During the competition, students were able to visit companies and attend lectures by industry executives, gaining insights into the problems and challenges identified by enterprises.
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Promising Career Prospect
FITM actively invites industry experts to hold career planning lectures, covering topics such as interview preparation, resume writing skills, and etiquette training, to provide professional guidance for students and help them understand the industry’s development and employment trends. In recent years, it has continuously improved the quality of teaching, practical learning, and professional competitions, enhancing the competitiveness of graduates. Most graduates have been admitted to internationally renowned universities for further studies with outstanding grades, and have developed into influential representatives in the tourism industry, serving as senior managerial roles to contribute to the industry’s development.
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Let's see what the newcomers have to say about their learning experiences!
First-year student Lin Xingqi, Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management
In my first year of the bachelor's degree program in International Tourism and Hotel Management at CityU, I met many teachers who were very knowledgeable in their respective fields. They were responsible and humorous, and their knowledge extended far beyond what I had imagined. In addition to our major courses, we also learned a lot about sustainable development in the world, allowing us to not only learn within our discipline, but also gain deeper insight about sustainable development. At City University, as long as you take action, there are always diverse opportunities and challenges waiting for you, just like the countless exchange activities that students eagerly anticipate. At CityU, follow the light, become the light, and shine bright!
First-year student Huang Ningjie, Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management
In just a blink, two months passed in my postgraduate study journey. To use one sentence to describe my learning experience, that will be “perseverance leads to a promising future.” I still remember when I first stepped into the CityU campus, I was filled with curiosity about life and learning. Here, I have met friends from all over the world and learned professional knowledge. Comparing to my first day of class, I now have a deeper understanding of my major and a greater love for the Macao SAR. During my studies, I have also participated in many activities, and I have met many outstanding classmates at the freshmen orientation. In the following years, I will cherish every moment and do my best to enrich my learning experience.
First-year student Gu Yonghui, Doctor of Philosophy in International Tourism Management
When I first arrived at CityU, located on the top of a hill in Macao, I fell in love with this sacred campus. Being immersed in it is like climbing a temple on an academic peak, with every step offering opportunities for soaring higher. The majestic Nine Dragon Wall symbolizes the rich cultural atmosphere and academic environment which I am immersed in. During my studies, the inspiring and lively teaching styles of the scholars have given me profound enlightenment. Their academic spirit has also inspired my thirst for knowledge! The faculty organizes doctoral students to participate in the 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), research workshops, and to hold academic lectures, expanding our academic horizons and allowing us to immerse ourselves in the pursuit of knowledge. At the same time, I am fortunate to have a group of excellent and friendly classmates, who share the same pursuit of academic excellence. “Through thousands of trials and hardships, we will reach the golden shore,” I firmly believe that only by surpassing ourselves can we climb the academic hall. I uphold the motto of “Virtue, Knowledge, Practice” and continue to strive for higher academic pursuits.
We refine the characteristics of our disciplines and nurture versatile professionals through industry-academic collaborations. Our experiential learning platform allows students to broaden their horizons and fulfill their dreams.
Let your dream take off! Welcome to the Faculty of International Tourism and Management!
Open for program applications! Join Faculty of International Tourism and Management!
- Bachelor’s degree programs: International Tourism and Hotel Management
- Master’s degree programs: International Hotel Management, International Hospitality and Tourism Management
- PhD programs: International Tourism Management
