Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge can mark dawning of golden age of tourism for Lantau Island, says Ngong Ping 360 boss

Managing director of cable-car operator believes city’s largest island can become ‘self-contained’ destination

Tourism chiefs believe new route could increase visitor numbers by 3.6 per cent

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Stella Kwan, Ngong Ping 360 managing director, sees a bright future ahead for Lantau Island. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:31am, 28 Oct 2018Updated: 8:45am, 28 Oct 2018

Stella Kwan Mun-yee has waited 12 years for the cross-border mega bridge to reshape the tourist industry on Lantau Island.

Managing director of the city’s signature cable-car operator, Ngong Ping 360, Kwan hopes the 55km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will not only bring more travellers to the city, but will also boost tourism, which is on track to make a thorough recovery from its 2015 slump.

And Kwan believes Lantau, Hong Kong’s biggest island, could emerge as a new tourism hub with the bridge encouraging tourists to visit other parts of the city than the traditionally popular, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay.

“Since we started our business on Lantau Island 12 years ago, the development has been relatively slow, and Hong Kong hasn’t built any major new attractions in the past two or three years,” Kwan said. “We have waited for the bridge for a long time, and look forward to the completion of the third runway, and Skycity, [at Hong Kong International Airport].”

The sight of cars and coaches arriving on Lantau direct from mainland China, plus the looming development alongside the infrastructure that already exists, has given Kwan hope that the island can become a “self-contained destination”.

“Visitors can shop, eat, go to concerts, hike, visit the Tai O fishing village, take the cable car, tour the island, and stay overnight at Disneyland,” Kwan said.

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