Hong Kong develops ecotourism in abandoned villages

Global Business

About 70 percent of Hong Kong is swathed in sparsely inhabited country parks, but many of those who once lived in remote villages have left in search of jobs elsewhere, leaving scores of rural settlements empty. Now, a project aiming to restore one abandoned village is hoping to kick off a wave of ecotourism, but government regulations are hindering its revival.
CCTV’s Pak Yiu reports:

Hong Kong develops ecotourism in abandoned villages

About 70 percent of Hong Kong is swathed in sparsely inhabited country parks, but many of those who once lived in remote villages have left in search of jobs elsewhere, leaving scores of rural settlements empty. Now, a project aiming to restore one abandoned village is hoping to kick off a wave of ecotourism, but government regulations are hindering its revival.

More details:

  • Authorities won’t grant the villagers permits to run guest houses or licenses for them to sell their produce. They’ve rejected proposals to address transportation issues as well.
  • Similar projects have taken off in other places such as Taiwan and Japan, turning once destitute villages into thriving communities.