Since its inception in 1979, the SHTM has constantly evolved. We are now moving from having a vision of rapid transformation in hospitality and tourism education across the region to being an icon, a globally meaningful symbol of excellence. Our new education model, with Hotel ICON at its heart, will help to improve hospitality and tourism education everywhere.

Hotel ICON is the teaching and research hotel built for the SHTM by PolyU. The University has undertaken a unique project over the past several years to develop dedicated premises for the SHTM to further enhance its world leadership position in hospitality and tourism education and to embrace the strong demand for its further contribution to Hong Kong, the region and the world. The result is an impressive complex of 28 storeys comprising three components: the SHTM home base, the teaching and research hotel and the PolyU staff quarters. Hotel ICON has already become an impressive part of the Tsim Sha Tsui East skyline.

As anticipation builds for Hotel ICON's grand opening in April 2011, the entire SHTM has moved to the new premises in December 2010. Visitors will find us in our new home:

School of Hotel and Tourism Management
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
17 Science Museum Road
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Professor Timothy Tong, President of the PolyU, attended a special cocktail party entitled "A Farewell to Our Millennium" hosted by the SHTM at the Millennium Training Restaurant on 1 December 2010 to bid a significant part of the old premises a fond farewell. At the new premises, the SHTM training restaurant will be known as Bistro 1979, reminding us of our humble beginnings in 1979.

As a purpose-driven School, the SHTM is constantly pushing into new areas. We are confident that the international status of the School as a world-class institution will be further strengthened through the success of Hotel ICON.