Professor Glenn McCartney MBE is Associate Professor of International Integrated Resort Management at the University of Macau, China, where he also serves the University as Associate Dean (Curriculum and Teaching) in the Faculty of Business Administration. He is also the British Honorary Consul for the territory for which service he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. He is 3rd Dan Black Belt in Chinese Martial Arts currently studying for 4th Dan in Hong Kong (Heng Yue Yen Long Kwon) and in his free time enjoys playing piano, running and watching TV (not all at once). He is the author of numerous academic journal articles and professional journal and media commentaries on tourism, casino and event subjects and is the author of two best-selling texts on tourism and events management in Asia published by McGraw-Hill.
Whatís your idea of a perfect day?
Having a work/life balance. Take the children to school, achieve and advance on issues at work, go to the gym, watch a movie. There must be a sense of accomplishment throughout.
If you could go back in time to any event in history, what would it be?
Oh, so many. We’ve seen events turn out so badly. I think any event you could go back to and say ‘seriously I don’t think you should be doing that’. But then again that might change the course of history. So best I don’t go back…
Whatís your favorite book?
I’m a professor. Reading is what I do so I don’t get a lot of time (or wish!) to read outside this. If I had one of those moments and had to take only one book to an island, then the Bible.
And your favorite singer/ band?
Oh, I have a few on my playlist and seen in concert. AC/DC and Metallica are certainly up there, but I am constantly playing songs from new metal bands.
Who is your hero?
No one hero, but hero situations. Can be as simple as truly extending a hand to help others.
What can always cheer you up when you are having a bad day?
Seeing my children.
Whatís your worst habit?
Sometimes I keep to a traditional way of doing things, and insist on keeping on doing it this way. But this goes against my perfect day of pushing ahead, questioning and accomplishing things.
If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Well the academic side of me says a meal with a good balance of vitamins, proteins, carbs etc. – since it’s for the rest of my life. However, I lean towards steak, egg and chips. Well that has protein and carbs…
If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
I wouldn’t retire in the strict definition. The system makes you retire based on age, but your mind doesn’t. I would seek out new adventures and continue on things of greatest interest to me, such as travel and tourism, and integrate this into a relaxed work and life balance.
Whatís your favourite season or festival?
Oh, must be Christmas. Mixed with the true meaning, it really is an enjoyable time of the year. There is a heightened happiness during that time.
Whatís your favourite place in Macau?
My home.
