In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration co-orgainsed an Executive Development Programme on “Leadership and Motivation” on 26 and 27 May.  

The course addressed the real-world complexities faced by front-line leaders and their teams. During the course, participants gained insights about their personal leadership style and developed skills that promoted effective teamwork that had a lasting effect in their workplaces. The programme attracted 21 professionals of local hotels and mega resorts.

Two representatives from tourism authorities of Sri Lanka and the Philippines, nominated by UNWTO, attended the programme. “This was a very effective and useful programme for us,” said Mr. Mihira Liyanaarachchi, Director of Domestic Tourism and Community Relations of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The other representative was Mr. Roberto Alabado, Regional Director of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism – Region XI. Their participation was the result of the MOU signed between Macao SAR and UNWTO in October 2015, in which both parties expressed their commitment to work together to enhance the quality of human capital for sustainable tourism development.

IFT had the honour of inviting Prof. J. Bruce Tracey from faculty of the School of Hotel Administration to give the lecture. In addition to Cornell, he has taught in a variety of degree programmes in Finland, Singapore, France and Switzerland. He has also facilitated numerous executive education courses throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.  Focusing on human resources strategy and management, Prof. Tracey’s research has examined a wide range of strategic and operational-level HR topics including the impact of training initiatives on individual and firm performance, employee turnover, employment law and leadership.

Group photo of IFT President, course leader and the participants

Through the programme, participants gain insights and skills to effectively leverage talent and organisational resources that are necessary for achieving long-term success.

IFT is always striving to enhance its teaching and research so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao’s tourism industry and ways to enhance it.

Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 7 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Contacts:

Institute for Tourism Studies

Tel: (853) 28561252

Fax: (853) 28519058

www.ift.edu.mo