Become a leader in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the heart of Asia

The Hospitality and Tourism Management industry is growing steadily – particularly in Asian countries – and shows no signs of slowing down.

This makes it an excellent choice for a study programme that enables graduates to become leaders and changemakers in the exciting and dynamic field.

According to the Hotel Investment Outlook 2019 report by JLL, the hotel market in Asia-Pacific is expected to be the “stand-out region from a growth standpoint”.

Another report by CBRE found that Hong Kong in particular is booming in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which is reflected in high occupancy hotel rates.

According to the South China Morning Post, “Hong Kong’s high occupancy of nearly 90 per cent – much higher than the regional average of 71 per cent – allowed the city’s hotel market to achieve 10 per cent year-on-year growth in local currency terms in revenue per available room, which is calculated by multiplying the average daily rate by the occupancy rate.  This reflects continued solid demand from mainland tourists, data from CBRE shows.”

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

For students interested in pursuing a career in Hospitality and Tourism Management, what better location for your studies than in the heart of Asia – Hong Kong?

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel & Tourism Management is ranked the number one school in Asia for hospitality and leisure management.

The school’s well-established programmes in this field prepare graduates well for life after graduation, offering a multitude of innovative teaching methods that provide plenty of hands-on learning opportunities

Experiential learning and innovative courses in Hospitality and Tourism Management

The school has its own five-star hotel that doubles as a workplace for students so they learn from practical experience, called the Hotel ICON.

Joshua Tan Yee Chong, a 24-year-old student from Singapore currently enrolled in his second year at the school, said, “The school has a full-fledged five-star hotel that serves as workplace for the students as well as a source of realistic hospitality related data.

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Joshua Tan Yee Chong

“As students, we have the chance to visit the hotel to find out the inner workings of a five-star hotel as well as organise and manage certain aspects of it in our senior year. I thus felt that studying in this school would give me very practical and advantageous edge.”

The school also actively encourages students to undertake overseas exchange programmes to gain more experience in international settings.

Joshua said, “The SHTM has many exchange partners and students are able to study in universities all over the world. Some examples are Boston University, University of Surrey and the world-renowned Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.

“I am looking forward to a chance to be able to study outside of Asia to experience a different culture, gain more knowledge about the hospitality industry and look for more opportunities.”

Students are also required to complete a six-month internship, which does not need to be located in Hong Kong, called Work-Integrated Education.

Joshua wishes to secure one in Japan, but he doesn’t mind working in the thriving, bustling city.

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

“As Japanese hospitality has a strong reputation. The bar scene in Japan is also very developed and I would certain jump at any chance to gain more insight about bartending in Japan. I wouldn’t mind working in Hong Kong as well as the country is home to many famous bars, luxury hotels and hosts numerous international events.”

Offering an academic experience that goes beyond a traditional education, students at the school are able to take interesting electives that provide them with global insights. The school offers innovative modules with cutting-edge and relevant content so students are up-to-date on industry happenings and trends.

Joshua took the Global China module, saying, “This module was, as its name states, about how globalisation has affected China. This module was very intriguing as I learnt how China grew to become an economic powerhouse in today’s world.

“I also learnt about initiatives put in place by China to sustain themselves in the future. This module provided me with valuable insight into China as I might like to work in China in the future. I felt that it was crucial to analyse and gain more knowledge about the direction that China is heading towards.”

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The most memorable course he took was Delivering Service Quality, where students are taught how to execute quality customer service, a vital aspect of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

He said, “In this module, I was taught concepts that academics have come up with as a framework to deliver quality service. To me, delivering good service has always been up to the hospitable aptitude of an individual.

“I had no idea that it was researched and studied to such an extent prior to taking this module. This module tasked me with the most difficult exam and group project in my years as a student. I had to analyse the service quality of a few restaurants.

“It was difficult to analyse something as intangible as service and convert it into a tangible report format. This course taught me concepts in order to complete the assignments.”

There are also opportunities for students to take courses that appeal to their personal interests, as the school believes in delivering a holistic education so students can develop to their full potential.

Joshua took Horror in English Literature and Film as reading horror stories was a hobby of his. “Although, horror content can be systematic, stereotypical and repetitive, this module taught me to appreciate horror in most forms.”

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Students must also take the mandatory Service-Learning component as the university believes that serving the community will nurture students into civic-minded professionals.

Ideal choice for international students

The location in the heart of Asia, as well as the scholarships available to international students, helps make Hong Kong PolyU a desirable choice.

PolyU is also located in Hung Hom, at the centre of Hong Kong. In just an hour, students can alight at Lo Wu, the most popular point for entering Shenzhen, located on the edge of the Hong Kong/China border.

For example, the university offers a merit-based entry scholarship which provides up to HKD190,000 (USD24,400) per annum.

International students will also normally be offered university-managed accommodation for the first two years of study.

Students are exposed to different viewpoints and cultures at Hong Kong PolyU, preparing them for the real world.

They also learn from diverse and experienced teaching staff, and receive support from helpful academic counsellors, along with cutting-edge study facilities that help them excel.

For a supportive academic environment and the opportunity to pursue an exciting career Hospitality and Tourism Management, Hong Kong PolyU is a wise choice.

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