News

RCdTT-PATA Collaborative Research Wins 2026 IIF Forecasting Practice Competition

Prof. Richard Qiu received the prize on behalf of the project team in Brugge, Belgium on 1 March 2026. The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in long-standing partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has won the 2026 International Institute of Forecasters (IIF) Forecasting Practice Competition, as well as the IIF Award for the Impact of Forecasting in Practice and a US$10,000 prize.     Led by Prof. Haiyan Song, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism and Director of RCdTT, the winning entry is the co-developed Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts. The research outperformed global competitors to be named one of four finalists, with the team invited to present their work at the Foresight Practitioner Conference in Brugge, Belgium (Unilever took second place).     This industry-leading research provides 3-year quarterly travel demand forecasts for 39 Asia Pacific destinations (covering over 1,400 origin-destination pairs) via a scenario-based model that integrates geopolitical, economic and public health factors, and is refined by expert panels. It achieved a striking reduction in forecast error, from 40.2% in 2021 to just 2.1% in 2024, enabling regional tourism stakeholders to implement precise operational optimization. Its insights guided US$240 million in targeted tourism investment in China, generating an incremental US$1.4 billion in revenue in 2023.   We are immensely proud that this remarkable achievement testifies to the outstanding research contributions of SHTM PolyU and RCdTT, and stands as a wonderful recognition of our impactful collaboration with valued partner PATA. This prestigious award underscores the strength of our joint efforts in advancing world-class tourism forecasting research and boosting the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry through data-driven insights.   Official IIF announcement: https://forecasters.org/blog/2026/03/03/2026-iif-forecasting-practice-competition-winner-announcement/

Prof. SONG Haiyan Shares Key Insights: RCdTT & PATA Jointly Release Asia Pacific Tourism Outlook 2026–2028

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT), Associate Dean (Research) and Chair Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, has shared key insights from the Asia Pacific Tourism Outlook 2026–2028 at a webinar hosted by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on 26 February 2026. According to Prof. Song, the Outlook projects that international visitor arrivals across the Asia Pacific will surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite persistent economic, geopolitical and environmental uncertainties. Under the baseline scenario, the region is expected to welcome 710 million international arrivals in 2026, equivalent to 104% of 2019 levels. By 2028, total arrivals are forecast to rise to approximately 765 million, representing an 11.5% increase over pre-COVID performance. The Asia Pacific Tourism Outlook 2026–2028 is a comprehensive joint research initiative between RCdTT and PATA, providing detailed forecasts for 39 destinations across the Asia Pacific under mild, medium and severe scenarios. Designed as a critical strategic resource, the report delivers actionable insights to inform decision-making and resilience planning for travel and tourism professionals. As a long-term strategic partner of PATA, RCdTT is dedicated to advancing data-driven research, evidence-based forecasts, and sustainable development strategies for the global travel and tourism industry. This collaboration continues in 2026, with RCdTT and PATA jointly delivering rigorous analysis and forward-looking insights to support stakeholders in navigating an evolving global landscape.   Online Coverage: Travel Daily News - https://polyu.me/4uiyccG

IMPACT2025 Concludes Successfully with RCdTT as Platinum Sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) successfully hosted IMPACT2025, its flagship academic conference, with generous support from Platinum Sponsor Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT). The event brought together global researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to advance innovation in hospitality and tourism. A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the inaugural SHTM IMPACT Award 2025 for Service Excellence – Hotel Industry, recognizing five outstanding hotels for exceptional service quality: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Nina Hotel Causeway Bay Rosewood Hong Kong The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong The award is based on findings from the Tourist Satisfaction Index (TSI), an innovative monitoring system developed by RCdTT. Leveraging big data and AI, TSI analyzes over 1.25 million TripAdvisor reviews to measure tourists’ satisfaction with services and value for money across five dimensions: Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, and Empathy. By applying data-driven insights to recognize excellence, SHTM and RCdTT are setting new benchmarks for Hong Kong’s hospitality sector. “These awardees epitomize the pinnacle of Hong Kong’s hospitality,” said Professor Haiyan Song, Associate Dean of SHTM and Director of RCdTT. Congratulations to all awardees, and sincere thanks to everyone for contributing to the successful conclusion of the IMPACT 2025 Conference.

MoU Signing Ceremony: RCdTT & Regal Hotels International Holdings Limited.

  The Research Center for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) and Regal Hotels International Holdings Limited officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 9, 2025, marking the launch of a two-year partnership aimed at deepening industry-academia synergy in Hong Kong’s tourism and hospitality sector. The signing ceremony was led by the Director of RCdTT, the Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism Prof. Haiyan SONG and Mr. Frederick Wong Kan-fai, Senior Vice President – Operations of Regal Hotels International Holdings Limited. Under the MOU framework, the two parties will collaborate across key areas: joint research on hotel digitalization and AI - mutual participation in teaching, academic forums and industry events, customized senior management training programs tailored to Regal’s needs, along with co-hosted industry workshops to meet the talent needs of the hotel industry. This partnership leverages RCdTT's academic and research expertise alongside Regal’s extensive industry experience, aiming to drive innovation, talent development, and overall competitiveness in Hong Kong’s tourism and hospitality industry.

RCdTT & Convergent International Sign Strategic Agreement to Launch International Tourism Digital Intelligence Joint Innovation Laboratory

 From December 7 to 9, IMPACT2025, the academic conference hosted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was grandly held in Hong Kong. As a top-tier event in the global hotel and tourism industry, the conference is centered on the core theme "Transforming Hospitality and Tourism for a Sustainable Future," bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to focus on two key topics: smart hotels and sustainable tourism.   As a key agenda item of IMPACT2025, Convergent International Travel Development Co., Ltd. officially signed a collaborative agreement with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at the conference to jointly establish the "International Tourism Digital Intelligence Joint Innovation Laboratory. This partnership takes AI, big data, and blockchain technology as its core drivers, addresses main challenges in the cross-border tourism industry, and builds an "industry-government-academia-research" four-in-one innovation mechanism, injecting new vitality into the digital transformation of the global tourism industry. Professor Kaye CHON, Dean and Chair Professor, the Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Hotel and Tourism Management, together with Mr. Chen Yongjun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Convergent International Travel Development Co., Ltd., attended the ceremony as witnessing guests to jointly celebrate this milestone in industry cooperation. The agreement was formally signed by Professor Haiyan Song, Associate Dean and Chair Professor of SHTM，Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT), and Mr. Sun Bowen, Vice President of Convergent International Travel Development Co., Ltd., on behalf of both parties. Thank you to everyone who participated in the signing ceremony. RCdTT is excited about the opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange with Convergent International.  

RCdTT Partners with CTG Hotel to Launch AI-Powered Smart Hotel Initiative

On December 9, 2025, the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Tourism Group Corporation Limited (CTG) marking the full launch of their industry-academia-research collaboration in the smart hotel sector.  At the signing ceremony, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism Prof. Haiyan SONG, Director of RCdTT. Mr. Gang Xu, representative of CTG Hotel, signed the MoU on behalf of both parties. The event was witnessed by Prof. Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor of PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, and Mr. Ding-leung Lam, representative of CTG Hotel.  All RCdTT members were also in attendance, creating a warm and anticipatory atmosphere.   The core objective of this partnership is to build an AI-empowered standard system for smart hotel operations. Drawing on RCdTT’s academic expertise in digital transformation and CTG Hotel’s rich industry experience, the collaboration will explore standardized smart hotel development pathways to advance the tourism sector’s digital upgrade.   

Second RCdTT International Advisory Committee Meeting Held on 9 December 2025

On December 9, 2025, the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) held its second International Advisory Committee Meeting in conjunction with the IMPACT2025 Conference, organized by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). As a Platinum Sponsor of IMPACT2025, RCdTT brought together its International Advisory Committee members from both academia and industry, many of whom also participated in the conference as speakers. Mr. Peter Semone, Chair of the International Advisory Committee, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of digital transformation in tourism. Professor Haiyan Song, Director of RCdTT, provided an update on the Centre’s recent achievements and outlined future plans. Committee members discussed industry trends, shared best practices, and explored opportunities for research collaboration. The meeting also generated valuable ideas for enhancing RCdTT’s global branding and recognition. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed appreciation for the exchange of ideas and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration. RCdTT remains dedicated to advancing innovation in tourism and technology.

PolyU’s Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism Backs Major Conference

YANGJIANG, China – The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University supported the 2025 Digital Economy and Tourism Development Conference, held on 29 November 2025 at Guangdong Ocean University's Yangjiang campus. The event attracted over 150 participants from academic institutions and industry sectors across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau SARs.   The conference featured significant contributions from RCDTT members. Professor Haiyan Song, Director of RCDTT and the Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, delivered a keynote address titled "AI and Tourism Research," showcasing the Centre's work on tourism demand forecasting and tourist satisfaction index using artificial intelligence.   A dedicated panel discussion on AI applications in hospitality was chaired by Professor Mimi Li, an Associate Director of RCDTT. The session included Professor Dan Wang, also an Associate Director of the Centre, who shared valuable insights on practical implementations of AI technologies in the hospitality sector.   "The strong participation in this conference demonstrates the growing importance of the digital economy in tourism development," said Professor Song. "As a supporting institution, the RCDTT remains committed to facilitating knowledge exchange between academia and industry that addresses contemporary challenges in our field."   The event served as an important platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, reinforcing RCDTT's role in fostering innovation and collaboration for tourism's future development.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University & The China Hospitality Association released the “2025 China Hotel Industry Green Development Index.” report

Hotel Industry’s Green Development Has Entered a “Good Stage” On November 26, the China Hospitality Association, in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, released the 2025 China Hotel Industry Green Development Index. Based on a survey of 370 hotels and questionnaires on green practices, the index integrates national standards for “Green Hotels” and relevant policy frameworks, forming a comprehensive evaluation system with 40 sub-indicators. Professor Dan Wang, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), highlighted that the 2025 Green Development Index reached 61.89 points, indicating that the industry has clearly moved beyond the initial exploratory stage and entered a “good stage,” with leading hotels gradually becoming green role models. Key Findings: Mechanism-driven progress: Green transformation shows an “olive-shaped” structure—two small ends and a large middle—where mid-tier enterprises have established governance mechanisms from organization to management, creating systematic pathways. Nine dimensions reveal green leap: The industry is transitioning from initial green achievements to a leap-forward stage, with short-cycle samples leading the way. Green management is becoming a foundational element of hotel operations. Integration with business performance: Green hotels are aligning carbon reduction with profitability, creating an operational paradigm of “green dining + dual value,” achieving both ecological leadership and diversified value. Clear future roadmap: The green ecosystem is shifting from “awareness-driven” to “value-driven,” accelerating the formation of a competitive green ecosystem through layered strategies. This milestone underscores the hospitality industry’s commitment to sustainability and its evolving role in shaping a greener future.

Prof. Haiyan Song delivered keynote speech at Menduner Conference 2025 in Suzhou, Charts the Future of Tourism with AI and Innovation

The prestigious Menduner China Tourism and Hotel Conference 2025 concluded this week at the AC Hotel by Marriott in Suzhou, bringing together over 300 industry leaders and academics. Under the theme "Harness the Momentum," the event provided a vital platform to address the most pressing challenges and showcase innovative solutions that will affect the post-pandemic tourism and hotel industries. A major highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Professor Haiyan Song, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism and Director of Digital Transformation of Tourism at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In his presentation, “Assessing Tourism and Hotel Business Performance – A Demand Perspective,” Professor Song demonstrated the critical link between service quality, tourist satisfaction, and financial performance. He introduced a groundbreaking methodological approach utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs), illustrating how AI can analyze vast quantities of guest feedback to deliver real-time insights into the drivers of customer satisfaction and revenue growth. In addition to the keynote, a series of expert speeches and panel discussions explored the core operational challenges facing the sector. Key topics included: 1. Navigating Labour Shortages: Innovative strategies for talent attraction, retention, and upskilling in a competitive market. 2. Accelerating AI Integration: The adoption of AI, automation, and data analytics to enhance operational efficiency, personalize guest experiences, and optimize revenue management.3. Advancing Sustainable Tourism: Seizing new opportunities to develop sustainable tourism models that cater to the evolving demands of post-pandemic travelers. Set against the dynamic backdrop of Suzhou, the conference underscored that the future of China’s tourism and hotel sector depends on a dual commitment to technological innovation and strategic human resource management.