Home | Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism

The RCDTT aims to optimize travel experiences and achieve environmental and business sustainability through digital transformation. Our goal is to enhance the lives of global citizens.

Director of RCDTT

Chair Professor, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism

Prof. Haiyan SONG

Research Focus 1

Digital Tourism Decision-making and Monitoring System

An automated and self-adapting tourism demand and associated carbon emission forecasting system

Real-time tourism sentiment and tourist satisfaction indexes

A web-based simulation toolbox for policy interventions on sustainable tourism development

Developing a digital twin system for monitoring hotel carbon emissions

A decision support system for environmental sustainability management in hotels

Research Focus 2

AI-Driven Business and Experience Innovations

A decision support system to assess customer acceptance and business returns on smart hotel initiatives

Theory construction and technological development of user-oriented immersive tourism experiences

A neuromonitoring index and system for understanding tourists’ mental and behavioural feedback

MGI-VCP: A multi-model generative intelligent video creation platform for tourism content marketing

Improving business operation efficiency and consumer experience using AI and robotics

RCdTT Director Delivers Keynote at Tourism Tribune's 40th Anniversary Conference in Beijing

Beijing, 24 October 2026 – Professor Haiyan Song, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT ) and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), delivered a keynote speech at the Tourism Tribune Annual Conference held in Beijing from 22 to 25 October 2026. The conference celebrated the 40th anniversa

24 Oct 2026

RCdTT Members Play Key Role in Success of UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlooks in Guilin

Guilin, China – The UN Tourism/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlooks, held on 20–21 October in Guilin, China, concluded successfully with significant contributions from members of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Hosted by the Guilin Government and supported by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at PolyU, the forum brought together tourism leader

21 Oct 2026

Congratulations to RCdTT Members Recognised in Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists 2026

Congratulations to the members of RCdTT on being recognised in Stanford University’s “World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists 2026” list for their significant research impact, reflected in publications that have been frequently cited by fellow academics. This year, 14 RCdTT members are featured on the Career-long list and 25 on the Single-year list. At the University level, a total of 481 PolyU scholars were recognised, including 274 on the Career

20 Oct 2026

RCdTT and SHTM Joint Seminar: Scenario Planning as a Strategic Tool for Building a Resilient Organization by Dr. Gyan P. Nyaupane

Today, a joint seminar co‑hosted by the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) was successfully convened, with the theme Scenario Planning as a Strategic Tool for Building a Resilient Organisation. The seminar was delivered by Dr. Gyan P. Nyaupane, Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University, USA. Chaired by Prof Haiyan Song,

25 Sep 2026

Prof. Haiyan Song Visits PATA Headquarters to Finalize Annual Tourism Monitor Report 2026 and Expand Strategic Research Collaborations

Prof. Haiyan Song, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), recently visited the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Headquarters in Bangkok. The primary objective of the official visit was to finalize the upcoming flagship publication: the PATA A

22 Sep 2026

RCDTT and Pseudo Lab Co-Organize Joint Forum to Connect Tourism Research and AI Practice

The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University jointly organized the "AI for Smart Hospitality, Tourism & Culture" forum with Pseudo Lab on 18 September 2026. Co-hosted by Prof Wangoo Lee, Assistant Professor at SHTM, and Mr Chanran Kim, Founder of Pseudo Lab, the event brought together academics, AI practitioners, and students from Ho

18 Sep 2026

Call for Registration: The 2027 Hong Kong PolyU Winter School®

The 2027 Hong Kong PolyU Winter School® by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management offers five practice-oriented modules to help hospitality and tourism professionals respond to a fast-changing business environment and create stronger organisational value. Covering customer analytics, employee engagement and workplace well-being, applied AI in hotel management, Chinese Mainland’s social media ecosystem, and hotel valuation and management contr

11 Sep 2026

Prof. Mimi Li Delivers Keynote on AI and Tourism Marketing at 100th TOSOK International Conference

Professor Mimi Li, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was invited to deliver a keynote address at the 100th International Conference of the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea (TOSOK), held in Seoul. The Tourism Sciences Society of Korea, established in 1972, is the largest and oldest academic organisation dedicated to tourism research in the country. In

29 Jun 2026

RCdTT Scholar Debates Research Evolution at TTRA, Delivers Forecasting Keynote in Montreal

GREENVILLE, USA / MONTREAL, Canada – Prof Haiyan Song, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism and Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, took centre stage at two major international conferences in late June 2026. At the 56th Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) International Conference in Greenville, South Carolina (24–26 June), P

24 Jun 2026

ATF2026 Focus: Mongolia’s Tourism Demand Poised for Sustained Growth

The 15th Asian Tourism Forum (#ATF2026) was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 11 to 13, 2026. Under the theme "The Asian Paradigm in Hospitality and Tourism," this year's forum brought together scholars, industry representatives, and policymakers from 22 countries to collectively explore the future direction of Asia's tourism and hospitality industry. During the forum, Prof. Haiyan Song, Director of RCDTT, Associate Dean (Research) and

13 Jun 2026