08 March
Local Date: Mar 08 2025 |
Local Time: 6:00 am - 7:30 am
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Fanny Vong is President of the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM). The Institute has won international acclaims for the quality of its programmes, established a vast international network and built good relationship with the local industry. Dr. Vong has participated in numerous tourism research and training projects initiated by the local government and intergovernmental organizations such as United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). She sits on Macao SAR Government’s Tourism Development Committee, Talent Development Committee, and Education Committee. |
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Sònia Figueras, tourismologist and teacher by training, has more than 25 years of experience in education and 20 in tourism. Since 2004, she has worked at the UN Tourism Academy for the UN Tourism Member States, the education and training centers of the UN Tourism TedQual network and the DMOs of the UN Tourism QUEST network. Currently, as Program Manager, she leads and develops new projects of this organization, including the UN Tourism QUEST programmed for Tourism Destination Management Organizations. |
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Macao Government Tourism Office Director Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes came on board the Marketing Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in 1988, and throughout the years organized and participated in various local, Mainland and overseas tourism exhibitions, conferences, seminars and promotional activities. In September 1998, she became Deputy Director, carrying on her dedication to destination marketing, and was appointed as MGTO Director in December 2012, before receiving the Medal of Merit for Tourism from the Macao Special Administrative Region Government in 2016. She is a current member of the following committees of the Macao SAR Government: Tourism Development Committee, Economic Development Committee, Cultural Development Consultative Committee, Urban Planning Committee and Investment Committee. She also acts as Macao SAR (China) Focal Point to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as well as a current member of the Supervisory Board - Finance and Elections of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). |
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Born in Lisbon, Bachelor Degree in Tourism Business Management (Macao Institute for Tourism Studies) and Hotel Management High Diploma (Porto and Estoril); 16 years in Hotel Business, operations and management in Portugal, Belgium, UK and Macau; 1991 to 2000, Director of the Hotel and Tourism Training School - IFTM and member of the Installing Committee of the Tourism College of Macau, creating IFTM in September 1995; 1999, F & B Consultant, Macau Hand-over Ceremonies; 2002 to 2011, Director’s Advisor, Macau Government Tourism Office; 2011 to present, Principal Consultant - Crowne Plaza Macau and Pousada de Coloane; January 2022, President of the Board of Directors – Macau Hotel Association; Adjunct Lecturer, Wine Studies at Tourism College of Macau – IFTM, and Knowledge and Humanities at University of Saint Joseph of Macao. |
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Connie Loi is Vice-President of the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM), overseeing academic affairs. Dr. Loi is an IFTM alumna and has gone through full cycle at the Institute, from student, administrative assistant, faculty member to management. In her 20 years of work in the academia, she has conducted various academic tourism researches, quality assurance projects such as UNWTO Tedqual Certification, UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)’s International Quality Review (IQR); and coordinated regular programme review and revision activities. Dr. Loi also sits on Macao-Zhuhai Talent Development and Promotion Association, Macao SAR Public Service and Organisational Performance Review Committee, and Education Committee. |
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Joyce Wong has 17 years of experience in Learning & Development specializing in talent development, performance management, service quality and culture. She is now Director of Training, Learning Academy from Melco Resorts & Entertainment, taking lead in Hotels, Food & Beverage, and Spa Training across Forbes 5-Star Properties in establishment of service culture excellence. Joyce had developed her passion and pursuit of excellence since early career phase with Macao Institute For Tourism Studies (IFTM) as Instructor. Prior to joining Melco, she was with two international 5-star hotel brands in HR & Training. Joyce is MSc degree holder in International Management from University of London, BSc in Hotel Management from IFTM, and being first Macao local recognized as Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD). In 2021, she has received recognition from Stelliers Award as Human Resources Hotelier of the Year. |
![]() | Fanny Vong Moderator |
![]() | Sonia Figueras Panelist |
![]() | Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Panelist |
![]() | LUÍS A. C. C. HERÉDIA Panelist |
![]() | Connie Loi Panelist |
![]() | Joyce Wong Panelist |