The government's ambitious blueprint to revitalise Aberdeen into a tourism hub has been dramatically scaled down by about 80 per cent amid the credit crunch and lacklustre interest from the private sector, according to the latest plans.
The Fisherman's Wharf, which largely anchored the tourism project, has also been dropped, but the revised plan will seek to preserve characteristics of a traditional fishing village. 'Fisherman's Wharf is just a name,' a source said. 'Besides, the Fisherman's Wharf in Macau is not exactly a success.'
The tourism project has been in discussion for about a decade.
It gained little traction over the years despite support from the community, lawmakers and the tourism industry. Aiming to upgrade the public areas of Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau to standards similar to that of Stanley, the project had initially designated seven sites for redevelopment.
Under the current plan, only the waterfront promenade in Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau will be beautified. The total area is more than 36,000 square metres.
The original blueprint covered about 170,000 square metres.