MGTO Director Encourages IFT Students to Embrace the World

Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held its second dialogue session on 3^rd May between youths and MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. During the session, she shared her experiences of participating in conferences and events organised by international tourism organisations. During enthusiastic discussions with students, she encouraged them to dive into open communication with people holding opposing views, and to build their career in Macao whilst embracing the world.

MGTO Director Senna Fernandes met around 50 students of the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) for a free-flowing dialogue, first presenting an overview of Macao's engagement in international tourism organisations, the results achieved from international meetings and events hosted by Macao as well as their impact upon local tourism development. She also shared her thoughts about the participation of local tertiary students in meetings and activities held by international tourism organisations in Macao and overseas.

With the tourism outlook full of promise, some students wondered how to thrive with opportunities in the tourism industry. Senna Fernandes emboldened students with a passion for tourism careers to equip themselves and actively get involved in community events and those organised by social organisations. She also encouraged them to reach out, talk and listen to people of different professions in order to widen their perspectives and social networks in real life, adding such initiative would also enrich the topics they can share with others and help them build connections in the future.

During the session, Senna Fernandes spoke of her unforgettable experience of participating in an international tourism event. In 2014, Macao hosted the 8^th Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting. The Meeting was of great significance and involved an array of high-level issues. Nothing was allowed to go wrong at any level throughout the event.

The pressure was so overwhelming that even a person who rarely suffered insomnia due to work like Director Senna Fernandes lost sleep over the event. In the end, the Meeting was smoothly held with the concerted efforts of various sectors, with its success a great relief to her. As one of the co-ordinators of the Meeting, she believes that applying what she learned from her experience in joining and organising other international organisation meetings was of great help to her work.

A number of students seized the opportunity to stay after the session to talk more deeply with the Director. When asked how to overcome difficulties, she said that however great an obstacle is it takes equally great perseverance to face the obstacle and find a way to stand firm. She quoted the saying of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam of "Never give up on doing what is right" to encourage students to step up to new challenges in life.