In a bid to strengthen university-industry collaboration, advance the integration of education and industry, and offer students hands-on exposure to the latest developments in the hospitality sector, the“Hotel Exploration Journey: Jinjiang Innovation Center Experience Day” took place on May 17 at the Jinjiang Experience Center.
Co-organized by the Sino-Swiss Joint Education Program of the Management Department and the Jinjiang Experience Center, the event welcomed a total of 45 students from local elementary and middle schools, alongside young reporters from the Youth Daily. Through guided tours, thematic talks, and interactive activities, participants gained insights into innovative practices and emerging trends shaping the future of the hotel industry.
The Jinjiang Innovation Center serves as a comprehensive venue that combines office facilities, R&D zones, real-scale modeling, and interactive exhibition spaces. It features 17 faithfully recreated sample rooms from various innovative hotel brands, each showcasing its unique identity and core values. The center provides a multi-dimensional experience space for Jinjiang Group and the broader hospitality industry.
The day’s activities kicked off with guided tours of diverse themed guest rooms—including traditional Chinese, e-sports, and campus-inspired designs. This was followed by a visit to the procurement display zone, where students learned about the range of amenities and suppliers essential to hotel operations. The session concluded with a hands-on workshop, where children learned to fold towels into adorable animal shapes under the guidance of hotel instructors.
In a simulated “Smart Hotel” environment, students experienced advanced technologies such as facial recognition for check-ins and AI-assisted room services, gaining a practical understanding of how innovation is reshaping hotel management.
By combining immersive experiences with meaningful dialogue, the“Hotel Exploration Journey” not only broadened students’ horizons within the industry but also strengthened the foundation for ongoing resource sharing and complementary advantages between the academic and corporate partners.
Contributed by the Department of Management
Photos/text by HUANG Xinyi