PolyU Scholars Hub
Kaye Chon
Dean and Chair Professor, Walter & Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management
- +852 3400 2211
- kaye.chon@polyu.edu.hk
ORCID ID
SCOPUS IDBiography
Professor Kaye Chon serves as the Dean, Chair Professor, and 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. Before his tenure at PolyU, he held academic roles at several U.S. institutions, including the University of Houston, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Virginia Tech.
Under Professor Chon's guidance, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong PolyU has emerged as a global leader in hospitality and tourism management education. For eight consecutive years, the School has secured the top spot in the "Hospitality and Tourism Management" category in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Professor Chon is a regular keynote speaker at international conferences and has contributed significantly to academic literature. He has authored or co-authored over 200 papers in international journals and professional publications, and has written or edited 12 books. His co-authored book, Welcome to Hospitality, is used as a textbook in over 100 hospitality education programmes worldwide. Currently, he serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
In recognition of his contributions to tourism knowledge, Professor Chon was awarded the Ulysses Prize by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 2011. This prestigious award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize in Tourism," is given annually to a scholar for their lifetime contributions to the field.
Before embarking on his academic career, Professor Chon gained industry experience in the hotel and travel sectors in the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Georgia State University, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and Virginia Tech.
Under Professor Chon's guidance, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong PolyU has emerged as a global leader in hospitality and tourism management education. For eight consecutive years, the School has secured the top spot in the "Hospitality and Tourism Management" category in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Professor Chon is a regular keynote speaker at international conferences and has contributed significantly to academic literature. He has authored or co-authored over 200 papers in international journals and professional publications, and has written or edited 12 books. His co-authored book, Welcome to Hospitality, is used as a textbook in over 100 hospitality education programmes worldwide. Currently, he serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
In recognition of his contributions to tourism knowledge, Professor Chon was awarded the Ulysses Prize by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 2011. This prestigious award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize in Tourism," is given annually to a scholar for their lifetime contributions to the field.
Before embarking on his academic career, Professor Chon gained industry experience in the hotel and travel sectors in the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Georgia State University, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and Virginia Tech.
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Ph.D. (1990) Virginia Tech
- MSc (1985) University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- BSc (1984) Georgia State University (Graduated with highest distinction)
- AA (1980) University of Maryland (Graduated with distinction)
Professional Qualifications
- Certified Hospitality Educator
Academic and Professional Experience
- CHE (Certified Hospitality Educator) (1995)
- Fellow, International Academy for the Study of Tourism (2001)
- FIH (Fellow, Institute of Hospitality) (2010)
