PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management celebrates 45 years of Educational Excellence Renowned

In her welcome address, Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU, said, The year 2024 represents a special milestone for the SHTM. For everyone at the School and the University, the key thing to celebrate is not the mere passage of time, but the vision and scale of achievement that have led to the creation of a world-leading centre of educational and research excellence that continues to set new standards for advancing knowledge and serving the hospitality and tourism industry. I have full confidence in the SHTM’s ability to reach even greater heights of global excellence and continue to lead development in the field in the years ahead.

In its pursuit of excellence, the SHTM strongly emphasises innovative research and encourages a robust research culture amongst its international faculty of more than 90 academics from 20 countries and regions worldwide. In the current academic year, more than 1,450 students from around the world are enrolled on the School’s programmes, which range from the undergraduate to doctoral levels.

The upscale Hotel ICON, which opened in 2011, is at the core of the SHTM’s innovative approach to education and research. This unique, purpose-built and purpose-driven hotel not only supports the School in nurturing a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals who will become leaders in hospitality and tourism, but also enables SHTM faculty members to conduct in-depth research to advise this global industry.

Along with providing world-class facilities for learning and research, the School has continuously expanded its innovative programme offerings over the years. In 2023, SHTM became a two-time recipient of the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Institutional Achievement Award, exactly two decades after first receiving this recognition from the Society in 2003.

These impressive results are due to the hard work and endeavours of all SHTM and Hotel ICON colleagues. They would also not have been possible without the support and guidance from PolyU, members of the School’s International Advisory Board, the School’s Advisory Committee, the industry and SHTM alumni. As the School bids farewell to its first 45 years, it sets its sights on achieving further global excellence in the field over the next decades.

The celebration culminated in the announcement of the prestigious 2024 SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr Jung-Ho Suh, Chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group, was honoured with the accolade.

An esteemed leader in the dynamic field of hospitality, Mr Suh is a pioneer of the hospitality industry in Korea. He has achieved remarkable business success by expanding Ambassador Hotel Group, one of the country’s top hotel groups, to embrace a highly diverse range of brands under Accor-Ambassador Korea. His achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry are exceptional. Mr Suh is truly a role model for future hospitality professionals and a source of inspiration for all.

Hong Kong Poly