What will I learn?

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hotel and Tourism Management programme is designed for students pursuing applied research in their advanced education. Its objective is to provide a theoretical and research base that prepares graduates for research and education positions in hospitality and tourism.

This programme offers advanced research training based on individual interests and career aspirations, which allows students to develop their ability to complete significant research in a specific area of hospitality or tourism. The intellectual and supportive environment fostered by the School encourages academic staff and students to collaborate to conduct research and disseminate information through scholarly publications, conference presentations, and research seminars. Graduates will make positive contributions to the growth and enhancement of hospitality and tourism research and education.

While the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) does not normally admit students for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme, students with exceptional qualities may be considered for admission on a self-financed basis, without a stipend.

Main areas of research:

The School will give priority to proposed research topics in the following four broad focus areas:

Smart tourism (including artificial intelligence, robotics, technology innovation, branding, marketing, experience management, and customer engagement)
Performance measurement and management (including financial and revenue management and measurement, operational management, service management, and event management)
Tourism futures and forecasting (including demand forecasting and emerging products and markets)
Policy and planning (including public policy, tourism planning and development)

Summary

Compulsory Subjects (4 Subjects – 12 Credits)

HTM5801 - Statistics for Research in Hospitality and Tourism Management
HTM6006 - Quantitative Research Methods for Hotel and Tourism Management
HTM6007 - Qualitative Research Methods for Hotel and Tourism Management
HTM6706 - Theories and Concepts in Tourism (This is a research-based subject.)

Compulsory Subjects (1 Subject – 1 Credit)

HTI6081 - Ethics: Research, Professional and Personal Perspectives

Compulsory Research Seminars (3 Credits)

HTM6700 - Research Seminars I
HTM6701 - Research Seminars II
HTM6702 - Research Seminars III

Compulsory Practicum (2 Credits)

HTM6704 - Practicum I
HTM6705 - Practicum II

Thesis

The programme structure listed above is subject to revision/change without prior notice.

Duration

This full-time Ph.D. programme is normally completed in three years.

Study options

Full Time (3 years)

Tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full-time students is HK $42,100. The annual tuition fee for full-time, self-financed Ph.D. students is HK $84,200.

Start date

Expected May, September 2021

Venue

School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

17 Science Museum Road,

TST East,

Kowloon City, Hong Kong, Kowloon

Entry requirements

For students from United States

In addition, they must also meet one of the following requirements: A minimum of one year of full-time teaching experience in tourism and/or hotel management at a recognized post-secondary institution plus at least one year of work experience at the supervisory or managerial level in the hotel, tourism or related industries; or Substantial and relevant work experience (normally of not less than four years at the supervisory or managerial level) in the hotel, tourism or related industries; or at least five years of teaching experience in tourism and/or hotel management. If English is not the applicant's first language or if their Bachelor's or Master's degree was not from a programme taught in English, then the following proof of language proficiency is required, A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 580 for the paper-based test, or 237 for the computer-based test or 92 for the iBT-based test; or A Band Score of at least 6.5 overall in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

For international students

To be considered for this programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

A Master's degree with a significant thesis/dissertation research component, at least one degree in hospitality and tourism management or a closely related field, and at least two years of industry work experience.
Candidates without the prescribed educational and industry backgrounds may be admitted on an exceptional basis. Such students will have to obtain relevant industry experience prior to enrolment or during the first year of enrolment, and undertake extra coursework as determined by the supervisor and/or School Research Committee.
Candidates whose Master's degrees did not include thesis/dissertation research components must provide other documented evidence of previous scholarly research experience.

English Language Requirements

Applicants who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognised university must provide one of the following as proof of language proficiency:

A minimum score of 580 in paper-based test (with a score of at least 4 or above in the Test of Written English) or 92 in internet-based test (with a writing score of 23 or above) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); or
A Band Score of at least 6.5 overall (with score for the writing component at 6.0 or above) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Applicants may be required to attend interviews or take tests to further demonstrate their language proficiency.

Application Procedure

All applications must be made online via PolyU's Academic Secretariat eAdmission system.

Applications for the 2019/20 PhD programme are now closed. The School will normally begin accepting applications for 2020/21 PhD programme in early September 2019.