bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Tourism Commission eyes undeveloped outlying islands as possible sites for health resorts

HONG KONG IS A vibrant, fast-paced and wealthy city. Tourists come for its shopping, food and culture. But can it sell itself as a spa destination?

The Tourism Commission hired a consultant last year to study its feasibility. The study is still in the early stages.

However, a consultation forum organised in April to solicit  public opinion showed that many are excited about the plan and believe it is a move that should have started earlier.

'In many areas of tourism development, Hong Kong is behind the curve. I believe it could still become a good venue for spa, wellness and health tourism if the commission and other government departments would work to develop a comprehensive plan and strategy,' said Andrew Jones, founder of Sanctuary Resorts, which manages holistic resorts.

Mr Jones said he was surprised  the Tourism Commission had hired a consultant to advise on the feasibility of a spa resort venture.

'Thailand has been a spa destination for a number of years and it didn't need a consultant to tell the government that this was a very successful and lucrative tourism market to promote.

'Many  people who live in Hong Kong and have stayed at our resorts in Bali, Thailand and Cambodia have asked me when  are we going to open a resort in Hong Kong. As I said during the consultation forum, if I open a boutique wellness resort tomorrow in Hong Kong I know it will enjoy full occupancy,' he  said.

Mr Jones is optimistic because Hong Kong is a stressful city. 'Many already attend day spas. They don't want to spend the additional time and aggravation to travel to other destinations all the time. They want it in their own backyard,' he said.

Hong Kong also needs spa resorts to keep up with competition  from other tourist destinations in Asia, said Michael Li, executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners.

Gone were the days when Hong Kong acted as the gateway to China. The number of long-haul travellers to Hong Kong has declined since the mainland opened its door to the world. Hong Kong needs to expand its tourism infrastructure to bring back long-haul travellers and to increase the length of stay of short-haul tourists, Mr Li said.

The city has what it takes to be a spa resort destination. Its rural areas are still tranquil; it has  beaches and greenery, he said.

The idea of  blending Chinese and western  treatments appeals to a number of spa developers. Chinese traditional medicine, tai chi, qigong, western stress management, detoxification and other wellness programmes are envisioned for these spa resorts.

Activities like fishing, jet-skiing and other water sports could be included to cater to a broader spectrum of clients.

The consultant hired by the Tourism Commission has pointed out three possible sites for spa resorts: Tai Long Wan West in Sai Kung, Cheung Sha Beach in South Lantau and Tai A Chau in the Soko Islands.

Mr Jones said all these sites  generally seemed to be workable. 'I believe they were mainly chosen by the consultants from a number of government properties available and listed for development. The challenge in Hong Kong is that these sites are offered at premium prices to attract large developers who are looking for large returns on their investments. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that big is best.

'Therefore, all of the developments proposed were of the 100 to 300-room size. The whole idea of a spa or wellness resort is to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax, rejuvenate and refresh.

'If the projects are to be 300 rooms, unless spread out over a very large space, the result is that you go from one very crowded location to another, which negates the objective,' he said.

Kylie Leavitt, managing director of Haven Concepts, which is looking to develop a spa resort, said that of the three sites, Cheung Sha was the best option but was likely to draw protest from green groups concerned that a resort complex could spoil the undeveloped side of the island. But there were many other sites to choose from, including agricultural land, if it can be rezoned for spa resorts.

'The government doesn't need to find the land,' Ms Leavitt said.

'The government needs to add sites that are suitable for low density buildings. Initially, it should support the private sector, not necessarily to subsidise land, but to offer private assistance such as getting some areas rezoned to reflect the new low density models.'

A lot of work still needs to be done before Hong Kong starts developing spa resorts.

Mr Li said the government had to announce its policy  and ensure that transport and other infrastructure, such as  sewerage, electricity and water,  were developed. Investors need to make sure  they can get returns on their investments.

Manpower is another issue. Melinda Yon, managing director at Spa Club Asia, which markets spa memberships throughout Asia, said Hong Kong had to ensure  it had qualified spa workers. It may need support from the government for training  workers.

It may also have to import labour from Thailand, especially for specialised spa treatments.



China opens shopping centre on Woody Island in disputed Paracels in South China Sea

Singapore’s viral moments of 2025: politician slip-ups, sinkhole heroes and a new US envoy

George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

South China Sea

Hong Kong has star spa potential