The Development Bureau announced on Wednesday that it is inviting expressions of interest for three major ecotourism projects in outlying islands and coastal areas.

This is the first time in recent years that the government has released large areas of land to build new attractions for tourism and recreation.

The projects are: transforming the Ex-Lamma Quarry site into a high-end lakeside resort; developing a new Eco-Recreation Corridor in South Lantau; and creating ecotourism nodes at Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai.

A bureau spokesperson said officials are seeking market input before starting statutory planning procedures, to ensure the projects better align with market interests.

The Ex-Lamma Quarry project envisions a luxury resort complex featuring a 5-hectare artificial lake, a marina that can accommodate 150 to 200 yachts, as well as low-density housing development.

To ensure coordinated planning, officials aim to have a single developer manage the site.

The 9.3-hectare South Lantau Eco-Recreation Corridor – spanning Cheung Sha, Pui O, Shui Hau and Shek Pik – will feature adventure resorts and ecotourism facilities.

Developers may choose to develop the entire corridor or focus on individual facilities.

The Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai nodes, covering 87 and 33 hectares respectively, will become tourist spots featuring restaurants, wellness centres and holiday resorts.

Multiple developers can participate in this project, and local villagers will have the opportunity to become business partners.

The bureau will hold briefing sessions for each project on April 14, and interested parties have until July 2 to submit their expressions of interest.

Officials said the three projects are expected to cost tens of billions of dollars each.

The government plans to open the Ex-Lamma Quarry project for bidding in the second half of 2026, and expects it will take around six to seven years to complete.