The SHTM has strengthened its efforts in nurturing hospitality graduates to address the growing demands of the hospitality and tourism industry in Hong Kong and the region. The School recently moved into its new premises in Tsim Sha Tsui East and has revamped more than 30 subjects within its undergraduate curriculum to tie in with the soft opening of its teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON, by phases in the second quarter of this year.

The SHTM has consistently adapted to industry needs since its inception in 1979, refining a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education to become a symbol of excellence in the industry. The School's new education approach, with Hotel ICON at its centre, will help to improve hospitality and tourism education locally, regionally and internationally.

With Asia emerging as the global centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism, the SHTM sees the need to advance both education and research in hotel and tourism management. It intends to make Hotel ICON an internationally recognised brand and the best teaching and research hotel in the world.

With its pioneering fully integrated education approach, Hotel ICON offers a learning platform that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation. Wholly-owned by PolyU and an extension of the SHTM, Hotel ICON is an embodiment of the university's credo "Where Innovation Meets Application", bringing together the SHTM's longstanding excellence in hospitality education and PolyU's continued commitment to supporting Hong Kong's hospitality and tourism industry.

The School is confident that its international status as a world-class institution will be further strengthened through the success of Hotel ICON.

Hotel ICON is located in a complex that also houses the SHTM premises, university staff quarters, research and resource centres as well as faculty and administration offices. The new complex is also home to a wide range of teaching and research facilities, including the Che-woo Lui Hotel and Tourism Resource Centre, the Samsung Digital Lab for Hospitality Technology, Bistro 1979 (the SHTM's training restaurant) and the Vinoteca Lab (a wine lab).

Hotel ICON was soft launched on 29 April 2011.