The program opened on a high note as students were welcomed to the SHTM campus for a class observation session facilitated by Prof. Daniel Leung, Associate Professor, and Prof. Jinah Park, Assistant Professor. Sitting in a live event management class, students gained a rare, firsthand look at the academic rigour and dynamic teaching culture at one of the world’s top hospitality schools — a moment many described as one of the most eye-opening of their academic journey.
The highlight of Day 2 was undoubtedly the Distinguished Lecture delivered by Prof. Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor, and one of the most influential figures in global hospitality education. Speaking with warmth and authority, Prof. Chon shared his perspectives on the evolving waves shaping the hospitality industry — a lecture that resonated deeply with students who are about to step into that very world. The session concluded with a group photo with Dean Chon, a moment our students will treasure for years to come.
Throughout the visit, every detail was thoughtfully organised by Willie Chan, Executive Officer, whose meticulous coordination and genuine hospitality ensured the programme ran flawlessly from start to finish. A special word of thanks is also due to Annie, whose quiet dedication behind the scenes made everything possible.
The visit extended beyond the lecture halls into the heart of Hong Kong’s luxury hospitality scene. Students were treated to an exclusive tour of the newly reimagined Regent Hong Kong, led personally by Mandy Wong, Director of Human Resources and a proud PolyU alumna. Ms. Wong’s passionate storytelling about the hotel’s world-class operations — and her own journey from PolyU student to hospitality leader — was both inspiring and deeply personal.
Students also had the privilege of staying at and exploring Hotel ICON, PolyU SHTM’s very own award-winning training hotel. The Hotel ICON team went above and beyond, offering an insider perspective of the hotel’s operations that brought Prof. Chon’s lecture on hospitality’s future vividly to life.
The four-day program reached a memorable conclusion with a professional hotel inspection at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel — one of the world’s most iconic themed hospitality destinations. Experiencing how Disney delivers its legendary brand of magic through meticulous service design and operations gave our students a broader and richer understanding of the many dimensions of our industry.
Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of the entire trip, however, was the bond that formed between people — not just institution to institution, but student to student. Nigel and Vimothy, SHTM students who warmly took care of the DTC group throughout the visit, embodied the spirit of hospitality in every sense. The friendships forged during these four days are a reminder that the most meaningful connections in our industry are always human ones.
This international field trip is a core component of the IHM Program’s curriculum, designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world professional exposure at a global level. By immersing students in a world-class academic environment, introducing them to industry leaders, and placing them inside the operations of internationally recognized properties, the program aims to cultivate graduates who are not only technically competent but globally aware, culturally adaptable, and professionally inspired.
The experiences gained in Hong Kong — from academic lectures and campus culture to luxury hotel operations and industry networks — directly align with Dusit Thani College’s commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality leaders who are ready to think, lead, and serve on the world stage.