
Director of RCDTT
Prof. Haiyan SONG
Research Focus 1
Digital Tourism Decision-making and Monitoring 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

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

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

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

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

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
News & Events
Prof. Faye Hao, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was invited to deliver a keynote at the prestigious Connect Marketplace Hong Kong. Her presentation, titled “The Role of Technology in Shaping Future Industry: Harness the Power of AI,” explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism and hospitality sectors. During the keynote, Prof. Hao highlighte
26 Mar 2025

On 25 March 2025, Prof. Scott McCabe, a distinguished Professor of Marketing at Birmingham Business School (BBS), University of Birmingham, delivered an insightful research seminar on "Social Tourism: Enhancing Participation and Well-being." Prof. McCabe, who is Co-Chief Editor of Annals of Tourism has an extensive background in marketing and tourism, shared his expertise with faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism Mana
25 Mar 2025

Hong Kong, March 6, 2025 – The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) marked a milestone with the official opening of the “Suh Jung Ho Inspiration Sphere” on Thursday. Named in honor of hospitality visionary Mr. Suh Jung Ho, the cutting-edge seminar room is designed to inspire academics, students, and industry leaders through col
6 Mar 2025

On 4 March 2025, Professor Sara Dolnicar, a renowned expert in sustainable tourism and an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow from the School of Business at the University of Queensland, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to deliver an insightful lecture titled “How to Make Environmentally Sustainable Tourism More of an Experience and Less of an Obligation.” The event was attended by the master students from the School of Hotel and Tourism M
5 Mar 2025

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean and Chair Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, was interviewed by Now News to share his views on how robotics and AI can address manpower shortages and enhance customer experiences in the hotel industry. Prof. Song said, “Some people think that the developm
16 Feb 2025

On 14 February 2025, Prof. Gang Li, a distinguished Professor of Tourism Economics and Director of International Relations and the Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy at the University of Surrey, delivered a compelling research seminar titled “Tourism Demand and Destination Competitiveness: A Spatial Spillover Perspective.” The seminar was attended by faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism…
14 Feb 2025

RCDTT and School of Hotel and Tourism Management of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have signed a collaborative agreement with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on the production of the PATA Visitor Forecast Reports for the next three years. The PolyU research team has been working with PATA over the past decade on PATA Visitor Forecasts, which have benefited the destination governments, DMOs, and tourism businesses in their decis
14 Jan 2025

We are pleased to share that Dr Curley Liu, our Research Assistant Professor at RCDTT, has officially completed her attachment at UN Tourism! Dr Curley Liu shared, "My attachment to UN Tourism has come to an end, and I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. During my time with the Market Intelligence, Policies, and Competitiveness Department of UN Tourism, I contributed to the World Tourism Report by conducting statistical analyses
8 Jan 2025

Prof. Haiyan Song, Director, Prof. Cathy Hsu, Member, and Prof. Bing Pan, Advisor of #RCDTT, have published a review article entitled “How COVID-19 has changed tourists’ behavior”. The article addresses the issue of whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced tourists’ thoughts and behaviors and the extent to which these changes might persist. This study provides a narrative review of the research on tourist behaviors and the psychological
6 Jan 2025

Dr WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, was interviewed by CCTV on the green development of China’s hospitality industry. She mentioned that the PolyU team has developed the “China hospitality industry green development index”, a comprehensive evaluation system with 9 dimensions and over 80 indicators to assess the
3 Dec 2024

Prof. Faye Hao, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was invited to deliver a keynote at the prestigious Connect Marketplace Hong Kong. Her presentation, titled “The Role of Technology in Shaping Future Industry: Harness the Power of AI,” explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism and hospitality sectors. During the keynote, Prof. Hao highlighte
26 Mar 2025

On 25 March 2025, Prof. Scott McCabe, a distinguished Professor of Marketing at Birmingham Business School (BBS), University of Birmingham, delivered an insightful research seminar on "Social Tourism: Enhancing Participation and Well-being." Prof. McCabe, who is Co-Chief Editor of Annals of Tourism has an extensive background in marketing and tourism, shared his expertise with faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism Mana
25 Mar 2025

Hong Kong, March 6, 2025 – The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) marked a milestone with the official opening of the “Suh Jung Ho Inspiration Sphere” on Thursday. Named in honor of hospitality visionary Mr. Suh Jung Ho, the cutting-edge seminar room is designed to inspire academics, students, and industry leaders through col
6 Mar 2025

On 4 March 2025, Professor Sara Dolnicar, a renowned expert in sustainable tourism and an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow from the School of Business at the University of Queensland, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to deliver an insightful lecture titled “How to Make Environmentally Sustainable Tourism More of an Experience and Less of an Obligation.” The event was attended by the master students from the School of Hotel and Tourism M
5 Mar 2025

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean and Chair Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, was interviewed by Now News to share his views on how robotics and AI can address manpower shortages and enhance customer experiences in the hotel industry. Prof. Song said, “Some people think that the developm
16 Feb 2025

On 14 February 2025, Prof. Gang Li, a distinguished Professor of Tourism Economics and Director of International Relations and the Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy at the University of Surrey, delivered a compelling research seminar titled “Tourism Demand and Destination Competitiveness: A Spatial Spillover Perspective.” The seminar was attended by faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHT
14 Feb 2025

RCDTT and School of Hotel and Tourism Management of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have signed a collaborative agreement with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on the production of the PATA Visitor Forecast Reports for the next three years. The PolyU research team has been working with PATA over the past decade on PATA Visitor Forecasts, which have benefited the destination governments, DMOs, and tourism businesses in their decis
14 Jan 2025

We are pleased to share that Dr Curley Liu, our Research Assistant Professor at RCDTT, has officially completed her attachment at UN Tourism! Dr Curley Liu shared, "My attachment to UN Tourism has come to an end, and I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. During my time with the Market Intelligence, Policies, and Competitiveness Department of UN Tourism, I contributed to the World Tourism Report by conducting statistical analyses
8 Jan 2025

Prof. Haiyan Song, Director, Prof. Cathy Hsu, Member, and Prof. Bing Pan, Advisor of #RCDTT, have published a review article entitled “How COVID-19 has changed tourists’ behavior”. The article addresses the issue of whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced tourists’ thoughts and behaviors and the extent to which these changes might persist. This study provides a narrative review of the research on tourist behaviors and the psychological
6 Jan 2025

Dr WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, was interviewed by CCTV on the green development of China’s hospitality industry. She mentioned that the PolyU team has developed the “China hospitality industry green development index”, a comprehensive evaluation system with 9 dimensions and over 80 indicators to assess the
3 Dec 2024

Prof. Faye Hao, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was invited to deliver a keynote at the prestigious Connect Marketplace Hong Kong. Her presentation, titled “The Role of Technology in Shaping Future Industry: Harness the Power of AI,” explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism and hospitality sectors. During the keynote, Prof. Hao highlighte
26 Mar 2025

On 25 March 2025, Prof. Scott McCabe, a distinguished Professor of Marketing at Birmingham Business School (BBS), University of Birmingham, delivered an insightful research seminar on "Social Tourism: Enhancing Participation and Well-being." Prof. McCabe, who is Co-Chief Editor of Annals of Tourism has an extensive background in marketing and tourism, shared his expertise with faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism Mana
25 Mar 2025

Hong Kong, March 6, 2025 – The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) marked a milestone with the official opening of the “Suh Jung Ho Inspiration Sphere” on Thursday. Named in honor of hospitality visionary Mr. Suh Jung Ho, the cutting-edge seminar room is designed to inspire academics, students, and industry leaders through col
6 Mar 2025

On 4 March 2025, Professor Sara Dolnicar, a renowned expert in sustainable tourism and an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow from the School of Business at the University of Queensland, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to deliver an insightful lecture titled “How to Make Environmentally Sustainable Tourism More of an Experience and Less of an Obligation.” The event was attended by the master students from the School of Hotel and Tourism M
5 Mar 2025

Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), Associate Dean and Chair Professor of School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, was interviewed by Now News to share his views on how robotics and AI can address manpower shortages and enhance customer experiences in the hotel industry. Prof. Song said, “Some people think that the developm
16 Feb 2025

On 14 February 2025, Prof. Gang Li, a distinguished Professor of Tourism Economics and Director of International Relations and the Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy at the University of Surrey, delivered a compelling research seminar titled “Tourism Demand and Destination Competitiveness: A Spatial Spillover Perspective.” The seminar was attended by faculty members and students from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHT
14 Feb 2025

RCDTT and School of Hotel and Tourism Management of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have signed a collaborative agreement with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on the production of the PATA Visitor Forecast Reports for the next three years. The PolyU research team has been working with PATA over the past decade on PATA Visitor Forecasts, which have benefited the destination governments, DMOs, and tourism businesses in their decis
14 Jan 2025

We are pleased to share that Dr Curley Liu, our Research Assistant Professor at RCDTT, has officially completed her attachment at UN Tourism! Dr Curley Liu shared, "My attachment to UN Tourism has come to an end, and I am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. During my time with the Market Intelligence, Policies, and Competitiveness Department of UN Tourism, I contributed to the World Tourism Report by conducting statistical analyses
8 Jan 2025

Prof. Haiyan Song, Director, Prof. Cathy Hsu, Member, and Prof. Bing Pan, Advisor of #RCDTT, have published a review article entitled “How COVID-19 has changed tourists’ behavior”. The article addresses the issue of whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced tourists’ thoughts and behaviors and the extent to which these changes might persist. This study provides a narrative review of the research on tourist behaviors and the psychological
6 Jan 2025

Dr WANG Dan, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) and Associate Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, was interviewed by CCTV on the green development of China’s hospitality industry. She mentioned that the PolyU team has developed the “China hospitality industry green development index”, a comprehensive evaluation system with 9 dimensions and over 80 indicators to assess the
3 Dec 2024

Prof. Faye Hao, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was invited to deliver a keynote at the prestigious Connect Marketplace Hong Kong. Her presentation, titled “The Role of Technology in Shaping Future Industry: Harness the Power of AI,” explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the tourism and hospitality sectors. During the keynote, Prof. Hao highlighte
26 Mar 2025
