In a novel approach to attracting tenants to live in the New Territories, Sino Group is offering free trips on a dolphin watching tour to everyone who signs a lease before the end of next month to live at the developer's Gold Coast complex. Those who complete by April30 will win a free token for a 'Dolphin-Watching House Warming High Tea Party' on a 58-foot luxury yacht that will take them out to see the marine mammals in the nearby waters around Chek Lap Kok airport. Victor Tin, assistant general manager, Sino Leasing, said this was part of a series of events launched to help publicise the Gold Coast during an annual 'open day' that was held over the Easter holidays. 'We also organised the first Sino Group Gold Coast Charity Run on March21 and the egg-themed Easter Carnival,' Mr Tin said. 'We hold the open day every year and always get good results, but this is the first time we've offered the dolphin trip.' He said the event was designed to coincide with the seasonal effect of renters looking for new properties in preparation for a summer move. But this year he is expecting even more interest due to a limited number of flats. 'The sales market is extremely active and the supply of available properties to lease is shrinking,' Mr Tin said. 'And there have not been many new developments for lease over the past two or three years, so renters start looking early.' With a variety of properties across the SAR from the south side of Hong Kong Island to the New Territories, Sino Land has a proven history of catering to a growing sector of people moving away from urban areas. Mr Tin said the scope of the company's portfolio had made it appealing to a wide range of clients in different levels of society, including those looking for a change in lifestyle. 'The vast range of size and rental has allowed us to capture tenants from local individuals to families of senior executives of multinational corporations,' Mr Tin explained. 'And as the multinational corporations, including finance, logistics and aviation companies, continue to expand, so more expatriates are being sent to live and work in Hong Kong.' Partly due to the development of Kowloon West as a commercial centre, an increasing number of people in the financial sector are becoming tenants. Mr Tin said while expatriates still made up the majority of tenants at the Gold Coast with more than 22 countries represented, he had seen more locals moving in because they liked living in 'trouble-free serviced apartments'. Sino Land's popular properties include Three Bays at Tai Tam Bay, Bowen's Lookout on Bowen Road, Pacific Palisades on Braemar Hill Road and Hong Kong Gold Coast Residences at Castle Peak Bay near Tuen Mun. The latter has unobstructed panoramic views over the Gold Coast Yacht Club marina and Castle Peak Bay and offers residents the opportunity to live in the New Territories while enjoying first-class accommodation. 'Living in the Gold Coast offers value for money apartments with large open spaces, good air quality and a safe and friendly community. Many tenants also prefer to have designer furniture included in the rental package and lately we have been offering a car rental package at some apartments that has received a good response,' Mr Tin said. Sea view apartments are available from 610 sqft to 1,372 sqft in the 19 high-rise towers in the complex. But for those who prefer more privacy, there are 11 'unique' low-rise beach houses including simplex and duplex apartments ranging from 1,950 sqft to 3,540 sqft. To add to the homely feel, some have private gardens or private rooftops. For residents who choose the location for the outdoor lifestyle, Mr Tin said there was a range of activities to keep them occupied. 'Hong Kong Gold Coast Residences has Hong Kong's largest outdoor free-form pool, landscaped gardens, tennis courts and many more leisure facilities,' he said. 'Residents can even book a private cruise on our 58-foot luxury yacht. And within walking distance you will discover one of Hong Kong's longest beaches, Golden Beach, the Gold Coast Shopping Mall, and the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club.' The five-star resort Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel is conveniently located nearby with a variety of restaurants and other outlets - and sea views. Transport is convenient with frequent shuttle buses taking about 30 minutes to Central and 25 minutes to Tsim Sha Tsui. Trips to the airport and Shenzhen take about 20 minutes each. With its proximity to the border, and from there to the production centres in the Pearl River Delta, the residential complex is attracting clients based around Victoria Harbour and executives working in mainland China. 'Expatriates rent serviced apartments [here] as they are setting up their offices in Hong Kong to do business in China. Because it's so close to Shenzhen, local manufacturers in Hong Kong also find the Gold Coast an ideal place to live.' The most important factor determining the market - and likely to continue doing so - was 'business expansion' which would drive companies to hire more staff to work in Hong Kong, which in turn would create demand for accommodation, Mr Tin said. Sino Land has properties across its portfolio to match these needs and budgets. 'We provide a large range of properties, from serviced apartments to individual houses, with a rental range from HK$8,888 to HK$380,000 per month,' Mr Tin said. 'The most active groups are in finance and trade with rental budgets from HK$25,000 to HK$60,000.' For that money, tenants receive services such as free, high-speed internet and free movie channels, and professional maid and concierge services.