An idea to convert Cheung Chau's notorious 'suicide villa' into a macabre tourist attraction exploiting its tragic past received a hostile reception yesterday from district councillors and a suicide expert.
But Islands District councillor Lam Kit-sing insisted his plan for a 'ghost town', with 'haunted' flats for people to stay in and an exhibition on the charcoal suicide method, could attract crowds of people after they had visited Disneyland.
Mr Lam said the idea had started off as a joke in casual conversation, but he now saw it as an 'innovative proposal' to revive the holiday flats of Bela Vista Villa - scene of more than 25 suicide attempts and 20 deaths in the past eight years.
'A dirty spot yesterday will be an attraction tomorrow,' he said.
The suggestions for the two three-storey buildings on Tung Wan beach include a 'charcoal-burning museum' and Halloween-style fairs on the beach.
Flats where suicides had occurred could be rented to tourists who want to spend the night in a 'haunted' villa. Local teenagers already visit the estate for a scare.