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Aberdeen is famous to tourists and locals alike for its fishing harbour and the various activities and attractions that take place on its waterfront, to name but a few - its floating seafood restaurants, fish markets or simply the jostling of the boats.
The area's traditional events and celebrations such as Dragon Boat races, temple rites and special cuisine have drawn many to visit and savour.
And still more - a tourist must-see - the Ocean Park - is tucked away on an Aberdeen hillside.
Aberdeen's diversities and traditional historic charm have made it a perfect spot for further tourism development that will help reinforce Hong Kong's appeal as a unique destination with sophistication, excitement and fun in a fusion of East and West.
In a paper presented earlier to the Southern District Council, the Tourism Commission delineated details of a consultancy's conceptual design for the Aberdeen Tourism Project.
One of the proposed key features that aims to blend tourism appeal with living culture is to redevelop both sides of the Aberdeen harbour under the concept of a fisherman's wharf.
Thematic architectures housing Chinese and western seafood restaurants and retail shops, and open space for alfresco dining and various festive and cultural activities will become a focal point spreading along the seafront on both Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau sides.
After completion, both sides of the fishing harbour will be natural vantage points for viewing the annual Dragon Boat festival races.
Expanding the same theme, venues for a dragon boat gallery and facilities for floating maritime exhibitions will be developed on the promenades to highlight the unique character of the local community, including the current and past lifestyle of inhabitants and their interesting heritage and folklore.
Amongst the various features that form Aberdeen's unique character, sampans are most iconic. The project design has proposed to enhance the use of this traditional water transport means to connect both sides of Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau and provide a convenient link with Ocean Park.
The project design has also encouraged the development of special visitor routes, such as temple walks on Ap Lei Chau north, and organising local cultural events to enhance tourists' interest.
To be a world-class tourism destination, tourist-friendliness and connectivity is one of the key components. The Aberdeen Development Project will include a Visitor Information Centre to provide useful and interesting information on various attractions and their history. The Centre will have an innovative and iconic appeal.
Visitor signage will be set up at appropriate locations along the Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau promenades. Additional coach parking and pick-up and drop-off points will also be provided for visitors' convenience. The new facilities' connectivity with existing facilities in the vicinity will be ensured to enhance accessibility and to create clustering effects.
The conceptual design of the Aberdeen Development Project includes both hardware facilities and tourism software. Close integration of the two is essential for ensuring successful implementation of the project. In pursuing the project, the Tourism Commission will thoroughly examine different feasible development and operation options to make sure the project is sustainable, in terms of operation, management and maintenance.
A preferred option will be to invite the market to design, build and operate the facilities to promote creativity and flexibility for meeting tourism needs. The Commission will examine the feasibility of this option in consultation with the market.
To complement Ocean Park's redevelopment plan, it is hoped that the relevant works will commence in 2009 for completion in 2012.
Ends/Sunday, May 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:08
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