Dr Michael LAI Tin Hang

Biography

Michael is an Assistant Professor at Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management, Saint Francis University (SFU). Before transitioning to academia, he worked in the travel and tourism sector. He returned to education to earn his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Tourism Management and subsequently a Master of Philosophy in Tourism Management, both from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

In 2017, Michael shifted his academic focus from tourism to Asia Pacific Studies, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Asia Pacific Studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. This change allowed him to integrate sustainable management practices and humanities into the tourism field. Throughout his academic career, he has received international awards and scholarships in recognition of his contributions and commitment to the discipline. He is the convener of the review panel for the Diploma in College Foundation Studies at the Lingnan Institute of Further Education.

[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 expertise includes tourism marketing, tourist behaviour, community-based tourism, and quantitative analysis. He has accumulated teaching experience in hospitality and tourism courses in Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan.

At SFU, Michael is responsible for teaching various tourism-related subjects. He has a keen interest in mobile learning and frequently incorporates interactive games into his teaching methods to enhance student engagement.

[Teaching Experience]

Research

[Research Interests]

Michael has published more than 20 papers in journals, book chapter and conference proceedings. His research interests include tourist behavior, tourism education, community-based tourism, and tourist well-being.

[Ad Hoc Reviewers]

Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research [SSCI-listed, Q2], Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights [ESCI-listed, Q2], Leisure Sciences [SSCI-listed, Q2], World Leisure Journal [ESCI-listed, Q3], Journal of China Tourism Research [ESCI-listed, Q3], International Journal of Tourism Policy [ABDC-listed, C], Asia Pacific Tourism Association.

Selected Publications

[Journal Articles]

1. Lai, M.T.H., & Vafadari, K. M. (2024). Understanding multi-phase tourist satisfaction. Tourism Analysis. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354224X17209729214502

2. 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]
3. 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]
4. 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, Q2]
5. 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 Project]

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

[Conference Papers]

1. Lee, Y.S.L., Lai, M.T.H., & Vafadari, K. (2024). A residents' behavioral intention towards tourism in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. 2019 APacChrie Conference, Seoul, South Korea. May 24 – 26, 2024.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Lai, M.T.H. (2020). Travel motivation: Literature review and research agenda. 18th Asia Pacific Conference, Beppu, Japan. November 14 – 15, 2020.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.

[Academic Awards]