Property boss has eyes for opportunity

Keen hiker Midland chairman Freddie Wong Kin-yip takes snapshots of tycoons' houses while walking on the Peak.

He also comes across tourists frequently during hiking but most of the places they have in focus lack signs with information. In addition to mainlanders, the property agency founder believes more can be done to attract visitors including those from the Middle East and Russia.

If English can be offered by fortune tellers in Temple Street and villain hitters under the Canal Road Flyover in Causeway Bay, Wong said that could appeal to tourists.

The recent migration trend reminded him of his years in Vancouver from 1986 to 1990 when he set up a property agency there serving a small Chinese community. However, he said, people there were not as diligent as Hongkongers and he decided to return despite political and economic uncertainty. He believes it takes time for the Hong Kong's economy to recover.

But he expects the property and stock markets will stabilize this year as locals spend more time in the SAR after traveling so much last year.

And many who wanted to emigrate may have left already.