My Take | Magic of Hong Kong’s coastal areas must not be lost in the drive for tourist dollars
While development seems inevitable, the priority must be sustainability and, most of all, preservation of these valuable natural assets
One of the joys of being in Hong Kong is to escape the bustling city centre and sail to the leafy outlying islands where tranquillity can be found. Many will be doing that over the Easter weekend.
Hong Kong has been slow to capitalise on the potential appeal of its coastal areas to day trippers and tourists, despite formulating various plans, well-laid or otherwise, over many years.
Now, facing calls from Beijing for new, innovative tourist attractions, the government is pushing ahead with projects intended to draw visitors to these precious seaside havens.
Expressions of interest are being sought from the private sector for “ecotourism development proposals” on island locations in South Lantau and Lamma as well as northern coastal areas Pak Nai and Tsim Bei Tsui.
The Development Bureau rightly describes these locations as “rural settings with rich natural resources”. That is why any development of them must be handled with great care and sensitivity. Otherwise, the features that make them so appealing will be lost forever.
Almost all of the 28 years I spent living in Hong Kong were in South Lantau. I have fond memories of island life, including regular trips to areas now set to be transformed for tourism.