Tai O Heritage Hotel Project
Challenges and Objectives
Tai O, located on the western coast of Lantau Island, is one of the oldest fishing villages remaining in Hong Kong. The Old Tai O Police Station was established in 1902 to combat pirates and served a community role in resolving disputes between villagers in Tai O. Due to declining crime rates, the police station ceased to operate and functioned as a patrol post from 1996 to 2002. In 2009, the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation (an NPO established by the Ng Family, Sino Group’s major shareholder) was selected to undertake its revitalisation under Batch I of the Development Bureau’s Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
The revitalisation involved converting the police station (Grade II historic building) into a boutique hotel, the Tai O Heritage Hotel, to promote its cultural heritage. The project aimed to create a sustainable tourism destination in Tai O, showcasing its natural beauty and cultural vibrancy. It also aimed to provide employment opportunities for residents and engages local service providers, generating economic returns and social benefits.
Collaboration Partners and Roles
The Commissioner for Heritage’s Office of the Development Bureau provided financial support and advisory service to the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation to carry out its project proposal. The Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation undertook the revitalisation project and coordinated in creating a platform to connect the Tai O residents and local NGOs (such as YWCA and Family Welfare Society) in organising community activities.
Revitalisation Activities
The project restored the police station and converted it into a nine-room boutique hotel, the Tai O Heritage Hotel. The hotel opened its door to guests in 2012 and has been operating as a social enterprise.
The hotel promotes sustainable tourism in Hong Kong by stimulating local tourism through cultural and community-based activities, eco-tours, and workshops. It also engages local service providers and food and culinary producers to support the local economy.
The hotel creates long-term employment opportunities and provides training for residents of Tai O and Lantau. The project actively engages with the Tai O community through various initiatives. It organises community events and consultations to seek feedback and promote community involvement in the project. Additionally, it promotes local festivals such as the Tai O water parade and highlights the traditional livelihoods of the fisherman villagers.
The project also places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. It has implemented measures such as installing solar panels and energy-efficient lighting. There is also a waste reduction program in place that includes recycling and composting to minimise waste output and environmental footprint.
Revitalisation Outcome
The Tai O Heritage Hotel Project underwent an evaluation by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University after five years. The evaluation found that the project had a positive impact on various aspects of Tai O. It contributed to the local economy by creating employment opportunities for younger generations of rural villages (over half of the hotel staff were Tai O or Lantau residents). This helped attract and retain them in Tai O.
The project played a role in preserving the local physical environment through eco-tourism initiatives. This helped maintain the natural beauty of the area. The project also had a positive impact on the social construct of Tai O. It fostered community bonding and a greater sense of pride within the local identity.
The project also helped promote Tai O as an exclusive cultural destination for both local and overseas visitors. This project is the Hong Kong’s first UNESCO-awarded hotel and obtained over 30 international and local awards in recognition of its devotion to heritage conservation and engagement of community service. The project is ongoing and is still self-sustaining. To continue the success, HKHCF aims at reaching a wider public in raising the awareness of heritage and cultural sustainability in the future.
This is the abridged version of a case prepared by AIRI Fellows Chau Sze Man Gabrielle, Kong Anthony, and Lee Chi Hang Haven. For further information, please email The University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Civil Society and Governance at ruralsd@hku.hk.