PolyU and CTSHK forge partnership to advance tourism industry through technological empowerment

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited (CTS HOLDINGS HK) have formed a strategic partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and scholarship donation agreement. The two parties will join hands to nurture tech talent and promote the application of cutting-edge technology in the tourism industry, propelling the development of technology-empowered tourism through industry-academia-research collaboration.

Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Dr Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; Mr WANG Haimin, Chairman of CTS HOLDINGS HK; and Mr FAN Yunjun, General Manager of CTS HOLDINGS HK, the MoU and donation agreement were signed by Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement), and Mr JIAN Yi, Deputy General Manager of CTS HOLDINGS HK at a signing ceremony held on the PolyU campus on 13 November. Representatives from the PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management and Faculty of Engineering, alongside CTS executives and other esteemed guests, also attended to celebrate the partnership.

The partnership brings together the unique strengths of both parties, including PolyU’s academic and research prowess in hotel and tourism management and various emerging fields, as well as CTS HOLDINGS HK’s comprehensive expertise across the whole industrial chain. Both parties will explore the application of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), metaverse and blockchain in the tourism sector with the aim of enhancing travel experiences and customer service.

In addition, in support of talent cultivation, CTS HOLDINGS HK has generously established the “CTS HOLDINGS HK Digital Intelligence and Tourism Scholarship” at PolyU. The Scholarship is set to support the University in nurturing talents with both expertise in hotel and tourism management, and knowledge in new technologies including computing, AI and big data analysis. CTS HOLDINGS HK will also offer internship opportunities for students, equipping them with practical experience to face evolving challenges in the industry.

In his speech, Prof. Teng said, “With its long history and esteemed reputation, CTS HOLDINGS HK is a flagship in the tourism industry. PolyU, as an innovative world-class university, excels in research and education in hotel and tourism management as well as in emerging fields like AI. Earlier this year, the University established the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism to anticipate and address the needs and challenges of the industry’s transformation. We hope this collaboration will spark innovative thinking and practices, driving the robust development of digital tourism industry in Hong Kong and supporting our Country’s goal of building a leading tourism nation.”

Mr Wang said, “As one of the top 100 universities in the world, PolyU boasts outstanding academic achievements and a talented pool of professionals, with several disciplines including hotel management and AI ranking among the best globally. CTS HOLDINGS HK, as a leading enterprise in the tourism sector with a long-standing presence in Hong Kong, leverages its competitive edge by offering comprehensive services across the industry spectrum, covering dining, accommodation, transportation, touring, shopping and entertainment. Through this partnership, we look forward to empowering the tourism industry with cutting-edge technologies and to nurturing new talents. We also aspire to create an industry chain, innovation chain and value chain that integrates the efforts of industry, academia, and research, thereby transforming and upgrading Hong Kong’s traditional tourism landscape.”

The partnership marks a significant milestone for PolyU and CTS HOLDINGS HK in their ongoing commitment to the evolution and growth of Hong Kong’s digital tourism industry. Both parties envision that the collaboration will create new value and opportunities for society.

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