School of Hotel and Tourism Management, PolyU

At a recent internal seminar held by the policy unit, stakeholders from government, industry, and the community came together to share insights and provide input, reinforcing the study’s role in developing more inclusive and holistic travel experiences.

As Hong Kong advances as a leading Muslim-friendly destination, research led by Prof Catherine Cheung, Prof Sam Kim, Dr Yuchen Xu, Farisha Nazmeen Nisha and co-authors, titled “Enhancing Hong Kong’s appeal as a Halal tourism hub: Strategic insights and policy recommendations for sustainable growth”, provides key findings by examining Muslim travellers’ actual expectations through interviews and surveys.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/yh2bjej4

What Our Alumni Say 💬

How can you make the most of your time at SHTM? Hear it from Pierandrea Falchi, Assistant Director of Finance of Mandarin Oriental, Prague, and 2017 BSc in Hotel Management graduate:

“There’s a lot of resources in SHTM. If the students follow their emails, there are many opportunities and conferences. Try to join as many as they can, whether they’re internal or external, and start networking.”

Through a multi-disciplinary approach and real-world exposure, SHTM prepares students to excel in dynamic and evolving hospitality and tourism industry environments.

Take the first step towards a dynamic career in the sector. Learn more: https://polyu.hk/bFzuz

More than 30 faculty, students, and alumni came together in Ulaanbaatar 🇲🇳 for the 15th Asia Tourism Forum ( )—a meaningful gathering of ideas, collaboration, and connection across the region. 🌏

We’re proud to share that Dean Kaye Chon has been awarded the “Medal of Wisdom” and become the first foreign “Honorary Member” by the Tourism Education and Development Society, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to tourism education, training, and research. 🌟

Congratulations to Summer Xia and Prof Pearl Lin on receiving the Second Runner-up Award for their paper: “Dining as a Relational Third Place: How Subjective Age Shapes Memorability and Attachment for Chinese Seniors.” 👏

Thank you to everyone who made ATF 2026 an inspiring and memorable experience. See you next year!

A fruitful week in Busan & Seoul 🇰🇷

Our undergraduate students recently wrapped up an inspiring learning journey in South Korea, exploring the vibrant energy of Busan and Seoul through a mix of cultural experiences, industry exposure, and lots of memorable moments.

Busan was all about colourful streets, ocean views, and cheering along at a lively baseball game, giving students a chance to experience the city like locals.

In Seoul, students got a closer look at the hospitality industry during their visit to Mercure Ambassador Seoul Magok 🏨, while also diving into Korea’s pop culture, stepping into a K-pop dance session at SM Entertainment.

It was an immersive trip that brought classroom learning to life, broadened global perspectives, and created unforgettable memories along the way. 🌏✨

Co-hosted by and the School of Management at Mae Fah Luang University, the 4th One Belt • One Road • One Tourism ( ) International Conference will take place in Chiang Rai, Thailand🇹🇭 on 11-13 December 2026.

Under the theme “Development, Marketing, Sustainability”, the conference brings together academics, industry practitioners and policymakers to exchange ideas and explore innovative approaches to sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Set against the stunning cultural and natural landscape of Chiang Rai, this is a unique opportunity to present your research and connect with global experts.🌍

📢 Don’t forget to submit your papers by 30 June 2026! https://polyu.hk/COpjA

What Our Alumni Say 💬

What’s it really like to study in our undergraduate programme? Hear it from Carman Kwok, General Manager of eDraco Travel Ltd and 2015 BSc in Hotel Management graduate:

“SHTM gave me the chance to build my confidence through a lot of presentations. This was a great learning process for me － learning, teaching me how to interact with my group mates and professors.”

Our programme equips students with industry-relevant skills, all-round development, and a strong foundation for careers in hospitality and tourism.

Ready to embark on your journey in hospitality and tourism? Learn more: https://polyu.hk/bFzuz

On 5 June 2026, had the distinct honour of hosting a gala dinner at Hotel ICON in celebration of Mr. Horst Schulze’s extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. A Founding Member and former President of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and Founder of The Capella Hotel Group, Mr. Schulze was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his enduring legacy and leadership.

Mr. Schulze is widely recognised for his outstanding contributions to the global hospitality industry, setting global benchmarks in service excellence and operational leadership. His career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, mentorship, and the highest standards of quality across the industry, and it continues to inspire hospitality professionals worldwide.

We also extend our appreciation to our students from the Practice of Special Events class, whose dedication made this memorable evening possible – we truly appreciate all your hard work!

Thrilled to host an unforgettable distinguished lecture by hospitality icon Mr. Horst Schulze at SHTM last week! His wisdom on creating service excellence, capped off with an exclusive book signing session, had the room buzzing with inspiration.

Thank you, Mr. Horst Schulze, for sharing your invaluable insights and for continuously inspiring our hospitality leaders with your vision of service excellence and leadership!