RESEARCH WITH IMPACT
I

FT never rests in its efforts to strengthen its position as one of the key centres for research into tourism and hospitality in Asia. The Institute is dedicated to conducting research that is significant on a global scale and improves the work of these industries.

The Institute conducts high-quality research that builds on the body of knowledge available to the tourism and hospitality industries. It is work that influences accepted practices with a significant impact on academics and students alike. Crucially, the Institute’s research is relevant to the wider community.

IN 2016/17 IFT SERVED AS CONSULTANT TO:

– MACAO INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT FAIR

– MACAO GOVERNMENT TOURISM OFFICE

– MACAU HOTEL ASSOCIATION

IFT has long appreciated the importance of research. The Institute gathers some of the best minds from around the world to do pioneering work on the matters of most concern to the hospitality and tourism industries. Testament to this is the growing body of literature produced by IFT researchers that has been published in the most respected academic journals.

Our commitment is to producing original research that is rigorous and its results meaningful. Our academics are free to decide what topics to study, and whether to study them theoretically or empirically.

The Institute offers an environment that sustains research. Building library resources, acquiring specialist equipment and information systems are part of the effort to create a leading centre for research.

The scope of research questions and the resources required to find answers requires collaboration, no matter where researchers may be. IFT believes firmly in international engagement which ranges from collaboration between individual academics to multidimensional cooperation among institutions. The aspiration of each research partnership we form is to achieve excellence and to make the greatest possible difference across the globe.

AMONG THE TOPICS OF OUR RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN 2016/17 WERE:

– National identity

– Service quality

– Casino tourism development

– Event tourism

– Destination branding

– Cultural heritage

– Carrying capacity management

– Corporate social responsibility

– Tourist loyalty

– Accessible tourism

FROM THE SOURCE

The IFT Tourism Research Centre (ITRC) is our policy research and industry development arm. The ITRC passes on knowledge gained about tourism and hospitality in Macao and around the globe. The Centre is a conspicuous endeavour to bridge the gap between academia and the outside world.

The ITRC was established in 2003. It provides consultancy services to various departments of the Macao SAR Government and works with an extensive network of research partners abroad.

The ITRC is committed to conducting high-quality research, both theoretical and practical, and to employing best practices. The Centre undertakes policy studies that are commissioned or undertaken of its own accord; it carries out monitoring and evaluation studies; and supports research.

The Centre is also a host to seminars, workshops and conferences that help disseminate the latest research findings to industry practitioners and the Government.

The ITRC compiles several indicators. These indicators include the Macao Tourism Satisfaction Index, which is drawn up and published quarterly. The Centre also releases quarterly the findings of the Macao Visitor Profile Survey, which gives managers in the tourism industry valuable insights into the market. Another ITRC endeavour is the Macao Human Resource Monitoring Survey. The survey is a long-term project to gauge the attitudes, opinions and job satisfaction of workers in the tourism, hospitality and gaming industries.

UNTAPPED INFORMATION


Leonardo ‘Don’ Dioko
Director of the IFT Tourism Research Centre


“There are still a lot of research areas to be covered in tourism,” says Professor Dr. Leonardo Dioko. He says this gives IFT academics the chance to do research that can have a positive impact.

Dr. Dioko, known to many as Don, has been involved in a number of public policy research projects that the Macao SAR Government has commissioned IFT to undertake since 2007. These projects cover a variety of aspects of tourism, including the limits to the numbers of tourists that Macao can cope with, and the sustainability of tourism.

He holds a Ph.D. degree in Business Organisation and Management from the ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, in Portugal. Dr. Dioko teaches courses on tourism, and hospitality marketing and management. His research interests include destination branding and tourism marketing, and travel behaviour and psychology; he is also interested in the impacts of rapid tourism growth and in tourism sustainability.

Dr. Dioko believes there are many opportunities for IFT to contribute to research on tourism and hospitality. “We are beginning to see some areas of research excellence,” he says.