The Development Bureau (DEVB) today invited the market to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for eco-tourism development proposals at ex-Lamma quarry site, South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor, and Pak Nai and Tsim Bei Tsui.
Following the Chief Executive’s announcement in the 2024 Policy Address to promote island and coastal tourism in Hong Kong, the DEVB has been working on the land use and project planning aspects of three projects under large-scale land disposal.
The three projects involve developing the ex-Lamma quarry site into an area for resort and outdoor recreational uses; developing Cheung Sha, Pui O, Shui Hau and Shek Pik into the South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor; and developing Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai into eco-tourism nodes.
This is the first time in recent years that the Government has initiated large-scale land disposal for the building of new tourism and recreation areas. It is also striving to make full use of corporate participation and market forces in the implementation.
Featuring islands or coastal destinations in rural settings with rich natural resources and water bodies, all three projects present opportunities for public-private collaboration in promoting tourism and recreational developments while capitalising on local and rural characteristics.
The DEVB added that it is launching the three EOIs before starting any statutory planning process, demonstrating goodwill to garner feedback from the market before finalising development requirements.
The bureau believes that this process would help ensure the ultimate development schemes to be more attuned to market interests and considerations.
The three projects differ in development scales, characteristics, objectives, timelines and deliverables. Through the three EOI exercises, the DEVB hopes to collect market views and suggestions on the respective developments early in order to formulate appropriate development parameters and implementation details, for incorporation into statutory plans and land tender documents.
It also wishes to have market feedback on alternative implementation approaches that can help speed up the developments.
Interested parties must submit their EOIs by noon on July 2.
The DEVB will hold briefing sessions on the EOI invitations on April 14.
