Dr Michael LAI Tin Hang

Biography

Michael is an Assistant Professor at the Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management, Saint Francis University. Before entering academia, he gained professional experience in the travel and tourism industry, which continues to inform his teaching and research. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Tourism Management and a Master of Philosophy in Tourism Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

He completed his Doctor of Philosophy at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan, where he broadened his academic perspective through Asia Pacific Studies. His interdisciplinary training enables him to examine tourism through the lenses of sustainability, community development, and cultural change.

Michael has received international awards and scholarships in recognition of his academic achievements. In 2026, he secured external funding from the University Grants Committee for a research project on rural resilience through tourism. Through his research and teaching, he seeks to bridge academic knowledge and practical issues facing communities, destinations, and the wider hospitality and tourism sector.

[Education]

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Teaching

Michael's teaching areas include tourism marketing, tourist behaviour, community-based tourism, and quantitative analysis. He has taught hospitality and tourism courses in Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan, gaining extensive experience across diverse educational contexts.

At SFU, he teaches a range of tourism-related subjects and is particularly interested in experiential learning. He regularly incorporates interactive games, applied activities, and real-world examples to enhance student engagement and connect classroom learning with industry practice. In 2026, he received the Saint Francis Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of his commitment to teaching and learning.

[Teaching Experience]

Research

[Research Interests]

Michael has published more than 25 papers in journals, book chapter and conference proceedings. His research interests include tourist behavior, tourism experience, community-based tourism, and tourist well-being.

[Ad Hoc Reviewers]

Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research [SSCI-listed], Leisure Studies [SSCI-listed], Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights [ESCI-listed], Leisure Sciences [SSCI-listed], Humanities and Social Sciences Communications [SSCI-listed], Frontiers in Psychology [SSCI-listed], World Leisure Journal [ESCI-listed], Journal of China Tourism Research [ESCI-listed], International Journal of Tourism Policy [ABDC-listed], Journal of Foodservice Business Research.

Selected Publications

[Journal Articles]

1. Lai, M.T.H., Vafadari, K., & Oribe, M. (2026). Enhancing travel experiences for tourists with rheumatoid arthritis: Insights from the constraint-effects-mitigation model. International Journal of Tourism Research, 28(2), e70292. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.70292 (SSCI-listed, Q1) 

2. Lai, M.T.H., & Vafadari, K. M. (2025). Understanding multi-phase tourist satisfaction. Tourism Analysis, 30(2), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354224X17209729214502 (ABDC-listed, A)

3. Lai, M.T.H., Yeung, E., Ching, L.K.W., & Li, B.M. (2024). Student-led live broadcast tour: An elevated learning journey for tourism students. SN Computer Science, 5(461). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-024-02729-0 [Scopus]
4. Ching, L.K.W., Lee, C.Y.K., Wong, C.K.P., Lai, M.T.H., & Lip, A. (2023). Assessing Zoom learning experience of the elderly under the effects of COVID in Hong Kong: Application of the IPO model. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 20(3), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-12-2022-0184. [ESCI-listed, Q1]
5. Lai, M.T.H., Yeung, E., & Leung, R. (2023). Understanding tourists' policing attitudes and travel intentions towards a destination during an ongoing social movement. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 6(2), 874-891. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-11-2021-0312. [ESCI-listed, Q1]
6. Tsang, N. K. F., Lai, M.T.H., & Law, R. (2010). Measuring e-service quality for online travel agencies. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 27(3), 306-323. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548401003744743. [SSCI-listed, Q1]

[Book Chapter]

Vafadari, K. M., Yotsumoto, Y., & Lai, M.T.H. (2024). Agriheritage tourism. In J. Jafari, & H. Xiao. (Eds). Encyclopedia of Tourism. SpringerLink. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_814-1  

[Research Projects]

Lai, M.T.H. (2026). Principle investigator. HKD 476,383. Agricultural tourism for rural resilience: A sustainable livelihoods approach. Funded from University Grants Committee, 2025/26 Competitive Research Funding Schemes (UGC/FDS11/B04/25).

Lai, M.T.H. (2024). Principle investigator. HKD 93,540. The path to well-being: Unravelling the healing potential of travel through a longitudinal study. Funded from Saint Francis University (IDG230115).

Lai, M. T. H. (2024). Co-investigator. HKD 18,780. Green and Healthy: Exploring the impact of environmental and health consciousness on plant-based meat consumption. Funded from College of Professional and Continuing Education (BHM-2024-316(J)).

[Conference Papers]

1. Lai, M.T.H., Vafadari, K., Lee, Y.S.L., Lau, C., & Chung, A.L.S. (2026). Agricultural tourism for rural resilience: A sustainable livelihoods approach. 2026 APacChrie Conference, Osaka, Japan. May 28 – 31, 2026.
2. Lee, L.Y.S., Lam, K.Y.C., & Lai, M.T.H. (2026). Unveiling child-friendly hotel selection through Zaltman metaphor elicitation technique. 2026 APacChrie Conference, Osaka, Japan. May 28 – 31, 2026.
3. Lai, M.T.H., Lyu, L., Zhang, E. Y., & Yeung, E. (2025). See it before it's gone: Motivation, fear of missing out, and travel intention in last‑chance tourism. 4^th GLOSITH Conference, Xiamen, China. Nov 7 – 10, 2025.

4. Ly, T.P., Lai, M.T.H., Yeung, E., & Morris, L. (2025). Important Factors Influencing Museum Experiences of Visitors with ADHD: A Preliminary Study from Macao. 2025 APacChrie Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand. May 27 – 30, 2025.

5. Lai, M.T.H., Yeung, E., & Ip, K. (2025). Boosters, decliners, or invariants: Preliminary results on the impact of travel on well-being. Global Hospitality and Tourism Research Summit, Fukuoka, Japan. May 15 – 18, 2025.

6. Lee, Y.S.L., Lai, M.T.H., & Vafadari, K. (2024). A residents' behavioral intention towards tourism in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. 2024 APacChrie Conference, Seoul, South Korea. May 24 – 26, 2024.
7. Lai, M.T.H., Vafadari, K. M., & Oribe, M. (2023). Chronic disease and tourism. Travel behavior of people with rheumatoid arthritis. The 3rd Global Congress of Special Interest Tourism & Hospitality, Macau SAR, China. November 10 – 12, 2023.
8. Ching, L.K.W., Lai, M.T.H., & Yeung, E. (2023). Enriching the learning experience of tourism students through live broadcasting tour. The 2023 International Conference on Open and Innovative Education, Hong Kong SAR, China. July 4 – 6, 2023.
9. Lai, M.T.H., & Yeung, E. (2023). Is travel healing? Evidence from a longitudinal study. Asia Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference 2023, Chiang Mai, Thailand. July 5 – 7, 2023.
10. Lai, M.T.H. (2020). Travel motivation: Literature review and research agenda. 18th Asia Pacific Conference, Beppu, Japan. November 14 – 15, 2020.
11. Lai, M.T.H. (2019). The new generation in the industry: Hospitality and tourism undergraduates’ perceptions of need for learning foreign languages in their future careers. 17th Asia Pacific Conference, Beppu, Japan. November 30 Nov – December 01, 2019.
12. Lai, M.T.H. (2019). Direct and indirect effects of time perspective on tourist's revisit intention. Asia Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference 2019, Da Nang, Vietnam. July 01 – 04, 2019.
13. Lai, M.T.H., & Vafadari, K. (2019). A comparative study of domestic and international hospitality and tourism students’ perceptions towards the needs for learning foreign languages: A case study of Japan. 2019 APacChrie & EuroChrie Joint Conference, Hong Kong, China. May 22 – 25, 2019.
14. Lai, M.T.H. (2018). The role of online experience sharing and tourist satisfaction in satisfaction with life: A case of university students in Hong Kong. 16th Asia Pacific Conference, Beppu, Japan. December 1 – 2, 2018.
15. Lai, M.T.H. (2018). Direct and indirect effects of time perspective on tourist’s re-visit intention. 2018 International Conference on Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management, Tokyo, Japan. August 22 – 24, 2018.
16. Lo, I.S., Siu, G., Lai, M.T.H., & Lee, L.Y.S. (2012). Tourist’s interpretation of rumor and its consequential behaviour. TOSOK International Conference, Ulsan, Korea. July 4 – 6 2012.
17. Chan, G.K.Y., & Lai, M.T.H. (2011). Understanding climate change, carbon-offsetting and their impacts on travel behavior. Joint Symposium on the 7th Biennial Symposium on the Consumer Psychology of Tourism, Hospitality, and Leisure of the International Academy of Culture, Tourism, and Hospitality Research, and 2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Tourism Management, Chiang Mai, Thailand. May 24 – 27, 2011.
18. Lai, M.T.H., & Chan, A. (2011). The role of online sharing of travel experiences, self-congruity, and functional congruity in developing tourist satisfaction: A study of university students in Hong Kong. 9th APacChrie Conference, Hong Kong, China. June 2 – 5, 2011.
19. Lai, M.T.H., & Chan, G.K.Y (2011). Measuring and relating internship learning outcomes with students’ learning styles. 9th APacChrie Conference, Hong Kong, China. June 2 – 5, 2011.
20. Lai, M.T.H., & Chan, A. (2011). Quality of online experience sharing, self-congruity, functional congruity and tourist satisfaction: An integrative model. 3rd International Conference Special Interest Tourism and Destination Management, Kathmandu, Nepal. April 27 – 30, 2011.

[Academic Awards]