John Lee considers capitalizing dinosaur fossils discovery for geopark tourism

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the government is mulling the development of geopark tourism following the recent discovery of the city's first dinosaur fossils at Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

The city leader emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to promote geopark tourism by designing routes that include famous attractions, such as the Hexagonal Rock Columns.

He also highlighted that workshops and exhibitions of the fossils would be held at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. 

The tourism sector supported Lee's initiative, while Hong Kong Tourism Association executive director Timothy Chui Ting-pong also stated the necessity of improving transportation arrangements and developing additional travel routes to promote the advancement of geopark tourism.

Chui also mentioned that the upcoming opening of the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area could provide a potential tourism route connecting Lai Chi Wo and Chek Chau, as well as provide ferry services and improve dock facilities.

Furthermore, he noted that the current number of visitors to the geopark is limited due to inadequate promotional efforts. He believes the discovery of dinosaur fossils has the potential to invigorate the development of additional related tourism products.