Asia will emerge in the future as the global centre for excellence in hospitality and tourism businesses. This trend will be largely influenced by strong demand for international tourism activities in Asia, growth and success of Asian-based multinational companies in hospitality businesses and, most importantly, the strong hospitality culture and human resources unique to the region. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) is uniquely positioned to ride on these 'Asian Waves' and play a leading role in hospitality and tourism education in Asia. Established in 1979, the Department of Institutional Management and Catering Studies was renamed as Department of Hotel and Tourism Management in 1992. The Department was designated a School in October 2001, which became an independent and autonomous academic unit within the University structure in July 2004. According to the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education in 2002, SHTM was the only one in Asia Pacific rated among the world's top 15 academic institutions in hospitality and tourism based on research and scholarly activities, exemplifying the School's motto of Leading Asia in Hospitality and Tourism Education.