Tourism is and will continue to be a major sector of Hong Kong's economy. In fact, as a leading financial and trading center and the gateway to China, Hong Kong continues to be ranked among the world's top tourist destinations. With confidence in the future of Hong Kong's hospitality industry and by capitalizing on the strength of its world-renowned Faculty of Business Administration, the University established the School of Hotel Management in 1998. The first class of 50 students was admitted in 1999 and graduated three short years later. The School also changed its name to School of Hotel and Tourism Management in May 2002 to be more reflective of the broad spectrum of its curriculum and graduate placement, as well as to reflect the range of opportunities Hong Kongs tourism sector offers.

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management is a reflection of the broader hospitality field covering tourist destinations, airlines, hotels, restaurants and other food service operations, theme parks, cruise lines, convention services, real estate development, investment banking, management consulting, and other related industries. There are two major motivations for the establishment of the Hotel School. First, Hong Kong has an established need for a high quality hospitality, tourism, and real estate education program. Second, Hong Kong provides a natural laboratory setting for students to relate their integrated business education with the realities of business life. Such experience further enhances the ideals of our integrated business education which is the essence of the Faculty of Business Administrations mandate.

The BBA in Hotel and Tourism Management program is a 3-year full-time professional program designed to deliver an integrated business education in the context of the above selective industries. The School also offers the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program. It is also exploring the establishment of a Master of Science program in Hotel Administration and Real Estate for industry executives.