Guilin Tourism University, China and Cambodia-China Investment and Development Group co-hosted an International Tourism Innovation Competition for China-ASEAN college / university students to commemorate the "30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations". The aim of this competition was to promote the innovation of ASEAN-China higher education exchanges and development of international tourism after the pandemic, as well as creating an ASEAN-China community of shared future. The competition was officially launched on 1st May 2021 and a total of 162 teams from 9 countries including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam participated in the event.
The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE) was honoured to be invited to join the competition in June 2021 and 2 teams of students from the Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours) and the Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours) (Events Management) programmes took part in the competition.
The first team – Team MINATIC with the project name “Cambodia-Point” consisted of Kelly Christie, Aurelia Kezia Permata Tjahyadi, Priska Pangestu, and Eiffa Diyana Binti Mohd Ashari. Under the guidance of Dr. Thanam Subramaniam, the team won the First prize with a prize money of 3000 yuan.
The second team - Team Crisscross The Globe with project name “Strategies to Create a Memorable Travel in Cambodia” was mentored by Ms. Caryn Lim and the team of students consisted of Kim Byeol, Ayano Yatsuzuka, Haruka Uehara. This team won a Third Prize and earning the cash prize of 1000 yuan.
The students’ participation in this virtual competition focused on 2 major themes; Creating a Travel Route Design for China-ASEAN cross border health tourism and health care resources between China and ASEAN. The second theme is to create a marketing and operations master plan for Cambodia Coastal City Tourism Resort Special Zone.
The master plan had to include a creative marketing plan that is comprehensive and consider its existing resources, for instance, the coast lines, the beaches, the mangroves, the marine animals, as well as the unique local cultures. Both teams from Taylor’s University selected the second theme and managed to create an impressive marketing and operational plan. All the award-winning teams will receive free access to the online training on innovation and entrepreneurship for college students provided by the committee and will be recommended to participate in the 2022 China "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. The winning entries will also be recommended to investors and projects with high commercial value. This is truly and international exposure for the students.