Personal profile
Biography
Dr Richard Hrankai (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor in the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU). His research focuses on sustainability, decision-making, and technology in tourism and hospitality. He has published in leading international journals, addressing critical challenges at the intersection of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and technological transformation.
Dr Hrankai earned his Ph.D. from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, following a Master’s degree from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. Prior to joining HKMU, he was an Assistant Professor at Modul University Vienna in Austria.
He has led funded research projects, most notably a competitive Research Grants Council Faculty Development Scheme (FDS) grant investigating the role of greenhouse gas labels in shaping tourists’ sustainable urban mobility decisions. His studies on accessibility, intermodal transport, and tourist flows provide actionable insights for tackling overtourism and designing eco-friendly transport systems. His second research stream focuses on artificial intelligence and behavioural economics, analysing how AI platforms and cognitive processes influence tourist decision-making.
Beyond academia, Dr Hrankai contributes actively to professional and public forums. He delivered a keynote address at the International Travel Expo (ITE) 2024 and was invited to speak at the International Hospitality & Tourism Research Conference in Switzerland. He has also shared his expertise on sustainable tourism in RTHK’s Vibrant Hong Kong programme, bringing research insights to broader public audiences.
Research interests
- Tourist mobility
- Transport and tourism
- Stated choice experiments
- Heterogenous decision-rules
- Hotel Asset Management
- Revenue Management
- Food & Beverage Management
Qualifications
Memberships
- Ad hoc reviewer for Tourism Management, Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Bridging the Affordance-Actualization Gap in User Preferences for AI-Assisted Trip Planning
Hrankai, R. & Mak, B., 2025, In: Journal of Travel Research. 0, 0Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
6 Citations (Scopus) -
Investigating the moderating role of gender on tourists experiences in visiting the Middle East destinations: from perceived risk to emotions
Rezaei, N., Kiu, T. C. T. & Hrankai, R., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Tourism Recreation Research. 27 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Nudging tourists toward eco-friendly mobility: The role of message frames
HRANKAI, R. & Masiero, L., 2025, Nudging tourists toward eco-friendly mobility: The role of message frames.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Understanding the Role of Response Latency on Position Bias in Tourists’ Online Travel Planning
Hrankai, R., Chan, I. C. C. & Senbeto, D. L., 2025, In: Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Citations (Scopus) -
Investigating the role of human vs. technology-enabled service experiences on user preferences for self-service technologies in hotels
HRANKAI, R. & Chun, L., 2024, Investigating the role of human vs. technology-enabled service experiences on user preferences for self-service technologies in hotels.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Investigating the interplay between greenhouse gas labels and urban mobility preferences
HRANKAI, R. (PI) & MASIERO Lorenzo (CoI)
13/12/23 → 12/12/24
Project: Research