Idea-cation @ UTM 2025The Idea-cation 2025 competition invites innovative proposals to redefine heritage tourism through the theme “Heritage as Innovation: Designing the Next Generation of Roots Tourism.” This conceptual challenge calls for visionary yet practical tourism models that creatively connect China’s rural cultural assets with contemporary family travel expectations. Rather than focusing on implementation, the competition serves as an “idea laboratory” for developing scalable frameworks that could transform how urban families and overseas diaspora communities engage with rural revitalisation efforts, reconnect with ancestral hometowns and how cultural heritage intersects with patriotic education. 
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Mode of participationIn-person |
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Who may participate?
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Team size
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Working languagesChinese as the main language for communication, supplemented by English |
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Seminar Series• Introduction of the Idea-cation 2025 • Requirements, guides and evaluation criteria • The two themes of the competition • Policies on entrepreneurship and rural tourism development • Key tourism resources |
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Two themes of competitionParticipants may choose to compete in either Theme 1 or Theme 2 by indicating their choice on the online application form. Theme 1 (Macao-focus): Innovating the "1+4" diversification strategy for an engaging tourism experience. Click here for the details of the Theme 1. Theme 2 (GBA*-focus): Heritage as Innovation: Designing the next generation of roots tourism for Jiangmen/Kaiping. Click here for the details of the Theme 2. *GBA stands for the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao. |
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Entry fee (non-refundable)
The above entry fees cover the seminars, mentoring, and the field trip. The fees are non-refundable. |
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Competition requirementsShortlisted teams are expected to fully participate in all activities and develop their innovative ideas into an 8-minute presentation using PowerPoint or an equivalent format. |
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Evaluation criteriaThe judges will examine the following four graded items: 1. Market Relevance & Research Validation (30%) 2. Heritage Innovation & Resource Utilisation (25%) 3. Model Scalability & Industry Adoption (30%) 4. Presentation Excellence (15%) |
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Team prizes and awards
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Value-added benefits for self-improvement and career development• Learn how to apply entrepreneurial and innovative thinking • Support national and local government policies • Enhance social network and improve CV • Certificate of attendance issued by UTM |
Trophy (gold), winning certificate, with MOP 3,000 cash
Trophy (silver), winning certificate, with MOP 2,000 cash
Trophy (bronze), winning certificate, with MOP 1,000 cash| Application and payment |
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Online Application (deadline 8 September 2025, 23:59:59) |
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Click here to enter our online application form. |
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Given the limited number of available spots, the selection committee will assess applications on a rolling basis, prioritizing quality and innovation. Qualified teams will be admitted as their applications are received. We recommend applying early to maximize your chance of securing a place and completing payment before capacity is reached. The process will remain open until all competition spots are filled. All payments are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by UTM. |
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For enquiries, please email us at ideation-lab@utm.edu.mo |
Judges |
Mentors |
Organising Committee |
