20-second zip ride at The Peak shaping up to be Hong Kong's next tourist attraction
Tourism chief sees it as a must-do attraction, but others raise safety fears and tourists believe the short ride may not be worth the queues
A zip line is set to be built on The Peak offering thrill-seekers a 20-second ride after the Town Planning Board agreed to relax building restrictions.
But the approval came with conditions attached and concerns were expressed about the safety of riders speeding along the 120-metre cables at 6.7 metres per second.
Operator Greenheart Hong Kong will erect a take-off tower and landing tower on two ends of the Peak Galleria shopping mall, with separate cables connecting the two towers. The take-off tower will be 9.5 metres high, exceeding the mall's current height restriction by about four metres.
But the towers must not protrude out of the envelope of the building and a noise assessment must be conducted. The operator is also advised to communicate with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to ensure safety and to follow noise pollution laws.
While the ride might be disappointingly short for some, Commissioner of Tourism Cathy Chu Man-ling said it would be a must-go attraction that would "enrich the overall tourism appeal of Hong Kong ".
Tourist numbers have dropped in recent months and the government also believes it will help to create jobs.
But a member of the board, Dominic Lam Kwong-ki, expressed reservations.