The “Smart Tourism Symposium 2026: Innovation and Impact,” which took place on May 8 in celebration of the University of Macau’s 45th anniversary, was a remarkable success. The event was sponsored by the University of Macau Development Foundation, organised by the UM Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management (APAEM), and co-organised by the UM Faculty of Business Administration (FBA). The symposium brought together internationally renowned scholars and senior executives from the tourism and hospitality sectors to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the travel industry. More than 100 participants attended, including representatives from Macao government departments, integrated resort executives, hospitality and tourism professionals, as well as UM faculty members and students.
The symposium also garnered significant attention from local media, underscoring the strong public and institutional interest in the advancement of smart tourism. Coverage spanned both electronic media and print outlets in Chinese and English, including Radio Macau, TDM, Macao Daily News, Vakio Daily News, Jornal do Cidadao, Jornal San Wa Ou, and The Macau Post Daily.
This widespread media attention not only highlights the symposium’s professionalism and social relevance but also reflects Macao society’s strong expectations for the digital transformation of its tourism industry. Moving forward, APAEM will continue to organise academic and industry exchange events, facilitate knowledge transfer, and serve as a policy think tank, thereby helping Macao strengthen its competitiveness as a premier international tourist destination.
