Hotelier Horst Schulze Inducted into School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, June 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that Mr Horst SCHULZE, Founding member of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Founder of The Capella Hotel Group was inducted into the SHTM Gallery of Honour on 5 June 2026, the same evening he was bestowed the esteemed SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala dinner held in celebration of his remarkable career and enduring contributions to the global hospitality industry.
At the award ceremony and gala dinner, Ms Claire CHIANG, SHTM School International Advisory Board Chairman, Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Banyan Group, said, “As Co-founder of Banyan Group, it is my privilege to contribute—together with SHTM—to the future of our industry through the development of the School and its future leaders. This aligns closely with Banyan Group’s philosophy: from one vision has emerged many possibilities, each shaped by its own landscape, culture, and community. Together, they reflect the many ways hospitality can create value far beyond the guest experience.”
Offering his heartiest congratulations, Prof. Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “A visionary in luxury hospitality, Mr Schulze has set the gold standard for service excellence. His exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to quality have profoundly shaped the global hospitality landscape. As a passionate advocate for hospitality and tourism education and a long-standing supporter of SHTM, he is a truly deserving recipient of this honour.”
Mr Schulze remarked, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from SHTM. Hospitality is ultimately about people—creating meaningful experiences through genuine care and service excellence. I am especially encouraged to see the School’s continued commitment to nurturing future leaders who will carry our industry forward. I look forward to supporting the development of the next generation as they shape the industry with integrity, passion and purpose.”
A pioneer in luxury hospitality, Mr Schulze was a founding member of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in 1983, where he established the legendary service principles and operating standards that have since become global benchmarks. During his tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer, he led the company’s worldwide operations, overseeing revenues of approximately US$2 billion. He later founded The Capella Hotel Group, where he continues to redefine the concept of modern luxury through a distinguished portfolio of properties renowned for their cultural authenticity and personalised service.
Beyond his industry achievements, Mr Schulze is a dedicated advocate for education and currently serves on the International Advisory Board of SHTM, contributing his insights to the development of future industry leaders.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr Schulze has received numerous accolades. He was named “Corporate Hotelier of the World” by HOTELS magazine in 1991 and awarded the Ishikawa Medal in 1995 for his contributions to the global quality movement. In 1999, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University.
More recently, he was honoured with the “Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration Award” by Historic Hotels of America. In 2022, Auburn University named its hospitality school The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management in recognition of his enduring legacy. He is also the author of Excellence Wins (2019), which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and inspired leaders across industries.
“At SHTM, we pride ourselves on being a global leader in hospitality and tourism education and research,” Dean Chon added. “Our mission is strengthened by the support and inspiration of industry leaders such as Mr Schulze. Together with our partners, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of talent who will shape the future of this dynamic industry.”
The Gallery of Honour is located in the SHTM lobby and 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 established the Award to honour individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of hospitality and tourism in Hong Kong, the region and the world, recognising true leaders who have helped define the global hospitality landscape and advance the industry.
About PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management
For more than four decades, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 for the ninth consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2024/2025 for eight years in a row; and ranked No. 2 globally in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area among comprehensive universities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.
The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and the dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of nearly 100 faculty members from 21 countries and regions around the world, SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, and inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.
