The prestigious SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award was announced at the gala dinner hosted by the SHTM on 30 May 2024. Mr Jung-Ho Suh, Chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group, received this distinction and was inducted into the SHTM's Gallery of Honour on the same day.
An esteemed leader in the dynamic field of hospitality, Mr Suh is a pioneer of the hospitality industry in Korea. He has achieved remarkable business success by expanding Ambassador, a top hotel group in the country, to embrace a highly diverse range of brands under Accor-Ambassador Korea. His achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry are exceptional. Mr Suh is truly a role model for future hospitality professionals and a source of inspiration for all.
At the ceremony, Mr Suh said that it is a great honour to receive the SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also humbled to receive the award and join past recipients whom he has long admired and respected. To him, it has been a tremendous pleasure to be a part of the exciting global hospitality industry, which in itself has been extremely rewarding.
Mr Suh remarked that under the leadership of Dean Kaye Chon, the SHTM has gone from strength to strength, and is now among the top few hospitality and tourism schools in the world. He is greatly encouraged to witness the School's ongoing efforts to nurture new generations of hospitality leaders to drive the overall development of the industry. On the occasion of the School's 45th anniversary, he congratulated all SHTM faculty and staff on achieving this major milestone.
Highly regarded for his exemplary achievements in hospitality, Mr Suh has relentlessly pursued innovation and success both in the organisation and in the broader hospitality industry. His strong academic foundation, which includes a Bachelor's degree from the College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and an MBA degree from UNLV's Business College, has equipped him with a profound understanding of the hospitality industry and a passion for the profession.
Mr Suh's remarkable career began to flourish in 1987, with the establishment of a partnership with the renowned Accor Group just before the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. This ground-breaking collaboration allowed him to successfully introduce various Accor brands, including Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis, to the Korean market. Through this strategic move, Mr Suh laid the foundation for a long-standing joint venture partnership with this global hospitality group.
Throughout his career, Mr Suh has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the tourism industry in Korea and France. Awards such as the Légion d'Honneur in France, the 10 Million Tourism Promotion Tower and the Gold Tower of Industrial Service Merit from the Korean government further validate his exceptional leadership and dedication. In recognition of his substantial contributions, Mr Suh was also conferred with the prestigious title of Doctor of Business Management Honoris Causa by Sejong University and Dongguk University, solidifying his reputation as an exceptional leader in Korea.
With a focus on maximising its success in partnership with Accor, Mr Suh is committed to establishing the Ambassador Hotel Group as both the largest hotel network and a professional hotel management company in Korea. His unwavering dedication, extensive experience and visionary leadership continue to drive the growth and success of his organisation.
Expressing his sincere congratulations to Mr Suh on receiving the honour, Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said that as a leading force in hospitality and tourism education and research, the SHTM's commitment to excellence is well supported by industry heavyweights and visionary leaders such as Mr Jung-Ho Suh. With steadfast support from the School's industry partners, the SHTM has pledged to continue to nurture the bright minds who will become future leaders of the dynamic global industry.
The Gallery of Honour is located in the lobby of the SHTM. This gallery displays portraits of the outstanding recipients of the SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award, who represent the world's most successful hospitality organisations and recognisable brands. The School created this award to honour individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of hospitality and tourism in Hong Kong, the region and the world, as these leaders have helped define the global hospitality landscape and drive the industry forward.
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