On the morning of October 18, 2024, Dr. Xiaonan ZHANG and two assistant instructors, Ms. Shayne WANG and Ms. Eve WANG, led students from the Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management Programme on a journey from Xiangzhou ferry terminal to Wailingding Island. This trip was designed to investigate the current state of tourism development on Wailingding Island, with a focus on management, service, marketing, and protection. The objective was to propose corresponding suggestions and enhancement strategies, while identifying potential growth opportunities for the island during both peak and off-peak seasons.

There were a variety of activities in this island trip, including visiting local cultural heritage sites, interacting with local tourism departments, and studying the island's natural environment and ecological tourism resources. Upon arrival, the group, guided by Deputy Director Zhong of Dangan Town’s Cultural and Tourism Office and Ms. Liang of Dangan Town’s Economic Development Office, convened in a meeting room. Deputy Director Zhong succinctly outlined the island's cultural and tourism status, sparking an engaging Q&A session with the students. Guided by Wailingding Island management department, students gained insight into the locals' income sources, the tourism, and the differences in tourist numbers, hospitality capacity, commodity prices, and resident business situation between the off-peak and peak seasons. In addition, they learned about the government's measures for extreme weather and policies related to sustainable development and protection. Lastly, they evaluated the status of the island's tourism projects and Wailingding Island's unique position within the Wanshan Archipelago.

Following this, students not only enjoyed authentic island seafood, but also toured the 'Eight Scenic Spots of Lingding', such as ‘Jade Belt Around the Waist’, 'North Emperor Morning Bell', and 'Wanshan Chess Game'. Capturing numerous photos and videos, they aimed to depict the tourism experience of Wailingding Island from a visitor's perspective. They were deeply drawn to the natural scenery and ecology, recognizing the crucial role of ecological conservation in sustainable tourism. Moreover, engaging in various cultural tourism projects, visiting local guesthouses, and discussing the effective fusion of island culture with tourism resources, they explored ways to enhance tourist experiences and foster sustainable local economic growth. At 4:15 PM, the day concluded successfully as everyone returned to the city by boat, marking the end of the trip.

Wailingding Island is located in the southeastern waters of Zhuhai City, at the mouth of the Pearl River, which is one of 83 islands under Dangan Town's jurisdiction. The island spans 4.46 square kilometers and is positioned 27 nautical miles west of the city center, 29 nautical miles north of Shekou, Shenzhen, and a mere 6 and 11 nautical miles from Cheung Chau and Kowloon in Hong Kong, respectively. As a national AAAA-rated tourist attraction, Wailingding Island is known for its unique rock, beautiful sea, serene, and refreshing air.

Text: Eve Weilu WANG

Images: Eve Weilu WANG、Tuchong Creativity