The Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) continues its effort to support local small business during the Covid-19 pandemic via student projects. One of these projects began in January and proceeded via using virtual approaches to guide and lead students towards their learning. This student project helped a new startup called LESS IS MORE that offers environmental-friendly products to stimulate lifestyle change and healthier living in the city. The student project was part of the entrepreneurship course led by Dr Fernando Lourenço of IFTM to help LESS IS MORE to research and develop their strategic vision for the coming five years. Towards the end, full business plans were developed and a wide range of strategies and ideas offered by the students who participated in this project.

In addition, Dr Lourenço led IFTM’s student Loi Mei Keng (Jennifer) to complete her final year thesis to explore the view of 369 millennials (year of birth 1982 - 2000) in terms of their attitudes and behaviour towards green products and purchasing. The main finding suggested that the quality of the product, the value for money of the product, convenience of shopping as well as environmental knowledge were among the strongest factors that influenced purchasing behaviour. The founders of LESS IS MORE, Rachel Wong and Ken Ha, were impressed with the thesis finding and the results of the whole student project and believed that the students could also benefit greatly from this real project.