The suggestion of developing a boundary shopping centre near Lok Ma Chau is worth considering, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So says.
He told lawmakers today such a development could help divert visitors from other shopping areas in the short term and provide job opportunities to residents of the existing and planned new towns in the New Territories in the long run.
He said the Government is also conducting the Preliminary Feasibility Study on Developing the New Territories North. It will examine if there are suitable locations for developing shopping facilities at the boundary area.
Mr So said the Government attaches great importance to the local tourism industry’s long-term and healthy development, so it is trying to enhance Hong Kong's capacity to receive tourists, such as by expanding two theme parks and commissioning the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal’s second berth.
Hotel room supply will increase by over 10,000 to 84,000 in 2017, including new hotel projects from the two flagship theme parks and the airport's North Commercial District providing 2,200 rooms, as well as the land within the "hotel belt" along the former Kai Tak runway, which will provide another 500 rooms.
