Professor Lewis Cheung

Research

My primary research revolves around the domains of ecotourism and sustainable tourism, with a specific focus on nature-based destinations within protected areas. Over the course of my career, I have undertaken several research projects to investigate and delve into the environmental attitudes and behaviours of ecotourists and nature-based tourists within these protected areas.

Currently, my research endeavours are centred on exploring the impacts of nature-based tourists on the physical and biological environments. I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between tourism activities and the natural surroundings within protected areas.

Furthermore, I am actively engaged in collaborative work with esteemed colleagues from China, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Together, we are examining the impacts of climate change on tourism in hazard-pone areas of Southeast Asia. This research serves to shed light on the challenges and implications that climate change poses for the tourism industry within these vulnerable regions.

I am enthusiastic about fostering collaborations with colleagues, potential research students, and fellow researchers who share similar interests in these research areas. If you are interested in exploring potential collaborations or engaging in further discussions, I warmly encourage you to reach out to me via email. I look forward to the opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful research endeavours together.

Professional Activities

I have had the honour of being appointed as a member or advisor to numerous advisory committees for both local and international NGOs and governmental organisations. These roles have allowed me to contribute my expertise and provide valuable insights on various topics within my field.

In addition to my advisory commitments, I also serve on the editorial boards of several esteemed journals. Furthermore, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of acting as a guest editor for various journals, where I curate and oversee special issues that explore significant themes and emerging research areas.

The following are my professional services to the community

• National Representative (Hong Kong) of International Geographical Union Executive Committee. (2021 to present)
• Committee Member of Lantau Conservation Fund Advisory Committee, Development Bureau, HKSAR (2022 to present)
• Member of the Country and Marine Park Board, HKSAR (Sept 2019 to present)
• Chairman of the Assessment Committee of EcoGuide Certification (Greater China), Ecotourism Australia (March 2017 to present)
• Chairman of the HKDSE Geography Subject Committee, HKEAA (Sept 2015 to June 2021)
• Expert Advisor of the Development and Conservation of Lantau (CEDD), Hong Kong (2018 to 2022)
• Member of Expert Group on Green Transport and Ecotourism for Lantau, Sustainable Lantau Office, HKSAR (2020 to 2022)
• Committee Member (EdUHK representative) for the Transport Logistics Training Board (TLTB), Vocational Training Council (VTC) (April 2016 to April 2021)
• Reviewer for Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector under Research Grants Council (2019)
• Expert Advisor for the Assessment Panel of the Ecotourism Accreditation System for the Wolong National Nature Reserve, China (2016 to 2019)
• Expert Advisor for the Eco-tourism Project in the Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province. Development Bureau, HKSAR (Sept 2013 to April 2017)
• Invited Speaker of the South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou. (Dec 2015)
• External Examiner for MPhil of the Department of Geography, HKU
• External Examiner for PhD of the Department of Geography and Resources Management, CUHK
• Editorial board member of the Asian Geographer (2016 to present)
• Editorial board member of Tourism and Hospitality (2020 to present)

Publications

Book Chapters

• Cheung, L.T.O. & Jim, C.Y. (2007). Improving ecotourism practice to enhance protected area management in Hong Kong. In C.Y. Jim, & R.T. Corlett (Eds.), Sustainable Management of Protected Areas for Future Generations (373-387). Gland, Switzerland: World Conservation Union (IUCN).
• Mitten, D., Cheung, L.T.O., Yan, W. & Withrow-Clark, R. (2017). Adventure education. In Russ, A. and Krasny, M. (Eds.). Urban Environmental Education Review. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.

Refereed Journal Articles 

• Xu, H., Cheung, L.T.O., Lovett, J., Duan, X., Pei, Q. & Liang, D. (2023). Understanding the influence of user-generated content on tourist loyalty behaviour in a Cultural World Heritage Site. Tourism Recreation Research, 48(2), 173-187
• Zhang, K., Ma, A.T.H., Lam, T.W.L., Fang, W. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2023) The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and the experience of recreational divers on the preference for diving sites. Sustainability, 15(1), 447
• Chan, A.K.W.*, Cheung, L.T.O., Chong, E.K., Lee, M.Y.K. & Wong, M.Y.H. (2022). Hong Kong’s new wave of migration: socio-political factors of individuals’ intention to emigrate. Comparative Migration Studies, 10(1), 49.
• Lam, T.W.L., Fok, L.*, Ma, A.T.H., Li, H.X., Cheung, L.T.O. & Wong, M.H. (2022). Microplastic contamination in marine-cultured fish from the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Science of the Total Environment, 827, 154281
• Cheung, L.T.O., Ma, A.T.H., Wong, G.K.L., Lo, A.Y. & Jim, C.Y.* (2022). Perceived benefits, negative impacts and willingness-to-pay to improve urban green space. Geographical Research, 60(3), 414-430
• Ma, A.T.H., Ng, S.L.*, Cheung, L.T.O. & Lam, T.W.L. (2022). The effectiveness of bird hides in mitigating recreational disturbances of birdwatchers. Journal for Nature Conservation, 67, 126181
• Lo, A.Y., Jim, C.Y., Cheung, P.K., Wong, G.K.L. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2022). Space poverty driving heat stress vulnerability and the adaptive strategy of visiting urban parks. Cities, 127, 103740
• Lam, T.W.L., Tsui, Y.C.J., Fok, L.*, Cheung, L.T.O., Tsang, E.P.K. & Lee, J.C.L. (2022). The influences of emotional factors on householders’ decarbonizing cooling behaviour in a subtropical Metropolitan City: An application of the extended theory of planned behaviour. Science of the Total Environment, 807, 150826
• Cheung, L.T.O.* & Wong, F.Y. (2022). Overview the values of the long-distance trails in the Country Parks of Hong Kong. Tourism Planning and Development, 19(3), 187-203
• So, W.W.M.*, Cheng, I.N.Y., Cheung, L.T.O., Chen, Y., Chow, S.C.F., Fok, L. & Lo, S.K. (2021). Extending the theory of planned behaviour to explore the plastic waste minimization intervention of Hong Kong citizens. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 37(3), 266-284
• Xu, H., Lovett, J., Cheung, L.T.O.*, Duan, X., Pei, Q. & Liang, D. (2021). Adapting to social media: the influence of online reviews on tourist behavior at a world heritage site in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 26 (10), 1125-1138.
• Lo, A.Y, Liu, S., Chow, A.S.Y., Pei, Q., Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L. (2021). In government we trust? Micro-business adaptation to climate change in four post-colonial and transitional economies of China. Global Environmental Change, 69, 102305.
• Ma, A.T.H., Ng, S.L., Cheung, L.T.O.* & Lam, T.W.L. (2021). How do uses of and gratifications from social media platforms drive responsible birdwatching behavior? Global Ecology and Conservation, 27, e01614.
• Ma, A.T.M., Lam, T.W.L., Cheung, L.T.O.* & Fok, L. (2021). Protected areas as a space for pandemic disease adaptation: A case of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Landscape and Urban Planning, e103944
• Lo, A.Y., Liu, S., Chow, A.S.Y., Pei, Q., Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L. (2021). Business vulnerability assessment: a firm-level analysis of micro-and small businesses in China. Natural Hazards, 108, 867-890
• Ma, A.T.M., Wong, G.K.L., Cheung, L.T.O., Lo, A.H. & Jim, C.Y. (2021). Climate change perception and adaptation of residents in Hong Kong. Journal of Cleaner Production, e125123
• Lee, F., Ma, A.T.H. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2021). Resident perception and willingness to pay for the restoration and revitalization of urban rivers. Water, 13(19), 2649
• Lo, Y.L., Lee, M.Y. K., Cheung, L.T.O. & Ma, A.T.H. (2021). Place attachment and political orientation: The case of localists in Hong Kong. Asian Journal of Social Science, 49(2), 76-83
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Ma, A.T.H., Lam, T.W.L., Chow, A.S.Y., Fok, L. & Cheang, C.C. (2020). Predictors of the environmentally responsible behavior of participants: an empirical investigation of interpretative dolphin-watching tours. Global Ecology and Conservation, e01153
• Duan, X., Marafa, L.M., Chan, C.S., Xu, H., Cheung, L.T.O.* (2020). Measuring the gaps in the projected image and perceived image of rural tourism destinations in China’s Yangtze River Delta. Sustainability, 12(12), 1-16
• Lo, A.Y.*, Liu, S., Cheung, L.T.O. & Chan, F.K.S. (2020). Contested transformations: Sustainable economic development and capacity for adapting to climate change. Annals of the American Association of Geographers. 110(1), 223-241
• Chan, C.S., Nozu, K. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2020). Tourism and natural disaster management process: perception of tourism stakeholders in the case of Kumamoto earthquake in Japan. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(15), 1864-1885
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Ma, A.T.H., Chow, A.S.Y., Lee, J.C.K., Fok, L. Cheng, I.N.Y. & Cheang, C.C. (2019). Contingent valuation of dolphin watching activities in South China: The difference between local and non-local participants. Science of the Total Environment, 684, 340-350.

Publications Continued

• Lee, K.M.Y., Lee, J.C.K., Ma, A.T.H. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2019). Does human rights awareness spur environmental activism? Hong Kong’s country park’ controversy. Land Use Policy, 87, 104033
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Ma, A.T.H., Lee, K.M.Y. Lee, J.C.K. & Lo, Y.L. (2019). How does political orientation influence one’s environmental attitude and behavior? Debate over country park conservation in Hong Kong. Environmental Science & Policy, 99, 115-122
• Chow, A.S.Y., Liu, S. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2019) Importance of residents’ satisfaction for supporting future development in rural areas of Hong Kong. Asian Geographer, 36(2), 185-199
• Lo, A.Y.*, Chow, A.S.Y., Liu, S. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2019). Community business resilience: adaptation practice of micro-and small enterprises around the Pearl River Estuary. Climatic Change, 157(3-4), 565-585
• Chow, A.S.Y., Ma, A.T.H.*, Wong, G.K.L., Lam, T.W.L. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2019). The impacts of place attachment on environmentally responsible behavioral intention and satisfaction of Chinese nature-based tourists. Sustainability, 11(20), 5585
• Lo, A.Y.*, Liu, S. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2019). Socio-economic conditions and small business vulnerability to climate change impacts in Hong Kong. Climate and Development (SSCI), 11(10), 930 - 942.
• Chow, A.S.Y., Cheng, I.N.Y. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2019). Self-determined travel motivations and ecologically responsible attitudes of nature-based visitors to the Ramsar wetland in South China (ESCI). Annals of Leisure Research. 22(1), 42-61
• Cheung, P.K., Fok, L.*, Hung, P.L. & Cheung, L.T.O. (2018). Spatio-temporal comparison of neustonic microplastic density in Hong Kong waters under the influence of the Pearl River Estuary. Science of the Total Environment, 628-629, 731-739.
• Cheng, I.N.Y., Cheung, L.T.O.*, Chow, A.S.Y., Fok, L. & Cheang, C.C. (2018). The roles of interpretative programmes in supporting the sustainable operation of the nature-based activities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 200, 380-389.
• Ma, A.T.H., Chow, A.S.Y., Cheung, L.T.O.*, Lee, K.M.Y. and Liu, S. (2018). Impacts of tourists' sociodemographic characteristics on the Travel Motivation and Satisfaction: The case of protected areas in South China. Sustainability, 10(10), 3388.
• Ma, A.T.H., Chow, A.S.Y., Cheung, L.T.O.* & Liu, S. (2018). Self-determined travel motivation and environmentally responsible behaviour of Chinese visitors to national forest protected areas in South China. Global Ecology and Conservation, 16, e00480.
• Liu, S., Cheung L.T.O.*, Lo, A.Y. & Fang, W. (2018). Livelihood benefits from post-earthquake nature-based tourism development: A survey of local residents in rural China. Sustainability, 10(3), 699-718.
• Cheung, L.T.O.* & Hui, D.L.H. (2018). Influence of residents’ place attachment on heritage forest conservation awareness in a peri-urban area of Guangzhou, China. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 33, 37-45.
• Cheung, L.T.O., Lui, C.Y. & Fok, L.* (2018). Microplastic contamination of wild and captive Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (4), 597-608.
• Cheung, L.T.O.* (2018). A segmentation analysis of participants’ in the selection of an ecotourism-training course. Journal of Ecotourism. 17(2), 123-139  
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Lo, A.Y.H. & Fok, L. (2017). Recreational specialization and ecologically responsible behaviour of Chinese birdwatchers in Hong Kong. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(6), 817-831.
• Mak, B.K.L., Cheung, L.T.O.* & Hui, D.L.H. (2017). Community participation in the decision-making process for sustainable tourism development in rural areas of Hong Kong, China. Sustainability, 9(10), 1695.
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Chow, A.S.Y., Fok, L., Yu, K.M. & Chou, K.L. (2017). The effect of self-determined motivation on household energy consumption behaviour in a metropolitan area in southern China. Energy Efficiency, 10(3), 549-561.
• Liu, S., Cheng, I.N.Y. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2017). The roles of formal and informal institutions in small tourism business development in rural areas of South China. Sustainability, 9(7), 1194.
• Cheung, L.T.O.* (2016). The effect of geopark visitors’ travel motivations on their willingness to pay for accredited geo-guided tours. Geoheritage. 8(3), 2201-209.
• Liu, S. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2016). Sense of place and tourism business development. Tourism Geographies, 18(2), 174-193.
• Lo, A.Y.H.* & Cheung, L.T.O. (2016). Geographies of social capital: Catastrophe experience, risk perception, and the transformation of social space in post-earthquake re-settlements in Sichuan, China. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 106 (4), 874-890.
• Cheung, P.K., Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L.* (2016) Seasonal variation in the abundance of marine plastic debris in the estuary of a subtropical macro-scale drainage basin in South China. Science of the Total Environment, 569, 658-665.
• Lo, A.Y.*, Cheung, L.T.O., Lee, A.K.Y. & Xu, B. (2016). Confidence and trust in public institution natural hazards management: Case studies in urban and rural China. Professional Geographer, 68(3), 475-484.
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Fok, L. & Gou, R. (2016). Students’ academic performance in environmental studies: An empirical study of different groups of secondary school graduates. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 25, 211-225.
• Liu, K.S.W., Gou, G.R. & Cheung, L.T.O.* (2016). Understanding participants’ motivation and willingness to pay for joining ecotourism training courses in Hong Kong. Asian Geographer, 33(1), 23-34
• Lo, A.Y.*& Cheung L.T.O. (2015). Seismic risk perception in the aftermath of Wenchuan earthquakes in southwestern China. Natural Hazards, 78(3): 1979-1996.
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Fok, L., Tsang, E.P.K., Fang, W. & Tsang, H.Y. (2015). Understanding residents' environmental knowledge in a metropolitan city of Hong Kong. Environmental Education Research, 21 (4), 507-524.
• Cheung, L.T.O.* & Fok, L. (2014). Assessing the role of ecotourism training in changing participants' pro-environmental knowledge, attitude and behaviour. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 19(6), 645-661.
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Fok, L. & Fang, W. (2014). Understanding geopark visitors' preferences and willingness to pay for global geopark management and conservation. Journal of Ecotourism, 13(1), 35-51.
• Cheung, L.T.O. & Jim, C.Y.* (2014). Expectation and willingness-to-pay for ecotourism services in Hong Kong's conservation areas. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 21(2), 149-159
• Cheung, L.T.O.* & Fok, L. (2014). The motivations and environmental attitudes of nature-based visitors to protected areas in Hong Kong. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 21(1), 28-38.
• Cheung, L.T.O. & Jim, C.Y.* (2013). Ecotourism service preference and management in Hong Kong. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 20(2), 182-194.
• Cheung, L.T.O.*, Cheung, T.T.M. & Tao, T.C.H. (2013). From a hiking sharing website to be a real business: a success story of Hong Kong ecotourism operator. Journal of Ecotourism, 12(3), 221-225.
• Cheung, L.T.O.* (2013). Improving visitor management approaches for the changing preferences and behaviours of country park visitors in Hong Kong. Natural Resources Forum, 37(4), 231-241.
• Fok, L.* & Cheung, L.T.O. (2012). Evaluating the impact reduction strategies for the tropical cyclone hazard in Hong Kong. Asian Geographer, 29, 121-129. 
  *corresponding author

Conference Papers and Presentations

• Cheung, L.T.O. and Jim, C.Y. “Improving ecotourism practice to enhance protected area management in Hong Kong”. Paper presented at the IUCN/WCPA EA 5th Conference on Protected Areas of East Asia. Hong Kong, 2005.06.21-25.
• Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L., “Evaluate the management effectiveness of Hong Kong Global Geopark of China.” Paper presented at the International Conference on the Reemerging China and Its Impact on Asia and the United States. Hong Kong, 2012. 01. 12-13.
• Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L. “Assessing effectiveness of ecotourism training changes in pro-environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours in participants: a self-evaluation approach.” Paper presented at A Symposium: Sustainable Tourism in Urban Environments. Hong Kong, 2012. 04. 20-22.
• Fok, L. & Cheung, L.T.O. “Management effectiveness of an urban Geopark in metropolitan Hong Kong.” Paper presented at A Symposium: Sustainable Tourism in Urban Environments. Hong Kong, 2012. 04. 20-22.
• Fang, W., Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L. “Visitors’ preferences and willingness to pay for visiting the Global Geopark in Hong Kong.” Paper presented at The 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Urban Environments. Hong Kong. 2013.05. 08-10.
• Gou, R., Fang, W. & Cheung L.T.O. “Local residents’ perception on the impacts of ecotourism development in the Wolong Nature Reserve, China” paper presented at The International Conference on Sustainable Tourism and Resilience in Urban Environments. Hong Kong, 2014. 04. 23-25.
• Zhang, Y.Y., Tan, L., Cheung, L.T.O. & Fok, L. The motivation, pro-environmental behaviour and attitude of birdwatchers in mainland China and Hong Kong paper presented at The International Conference on Sustainable Tourism and Resilience in Urban Environments. Hong Kong, 2014. 04. 23-25.
• Liu, S. & Cheung, L.T.O.. Influences of Sense of Place on Sustainable Tourism Development. International Conference of Sustainable Tourism and Resilient Communities, Hong Kong. 2015. 05
• Cheung, L.T.O. Improving visitor management strategies for the changing preferences and attitudes of the Country Park Visitors in Hong Kong. Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2016, Suwon, Korea. 2016. 10. 5-8.
• Cheung, L.T.O. Recreational specialization and environmentally responsible behaviour of the Chinese birdwatchers in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Geography Day, Hong Kong. 2016. 11. 18.
• Cheung, L.T.O. Residents’ perception of satisfaction with and support for tourism development in rural areas of a metropolitan city in South China. The International Conference of Sustainable Tourism and Development, Hong Kong 24-26 May 2017
• Cheung, L.T.O. The role of sociodemographic characteristics on the travel motivation and satisfaction of tourists in forest protected areas in South China. The International Conference on Sustainable Tourism and Innovation, Hong Kong 17-18 May 2018
• Cheung, L.T.O. The role of interpretative programme in supporting sustainable operation of the dolphin watching activities in South China. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Chiang Mai, Thailand 27 Feb – 2 Mar 2019.
• Cheung, L.T.O. The roles of interpretative programmes in supporting the sustainable operation of the nature-based activities. The International Conference on Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals. Hong Kong, 16-17 May 2019.