Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Manda Chan on Monday said the government is open to expanding a proposed pilot scheme which would involve the private sector managing certain public beaches.

Her remarks came after the Leisure and Cultural Services Department invited businesses’ expression of interest in operating three public beaches – Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan, Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District on Hong Kong Island.

Speaking on a RTHK programme, Chan said the three beaches have unique features and business potential to host commercial activities.

Authorities have also invited interested groups to propose other public beaches that could be included in the pilot scheme, she said.

Chan said the government would oversee the operators’ performance to ensure and guarantee people’s continued free access to these beaches, reasonable charges for activities and water safety.

“We have certain expectations of the beach operators. Managing a beach is not an easy task and since this is a pilot scheme that we have never tried before, we hope the operators have experience in management, with strengths in venue management, market promotion and business skills,” she said.

“Also, the operators should have service planning abilities and we will review their proposed target audience, the expected number of participants and plans to engage with local residents and tourists.”

Lawmaker Chan Hok-fung, who represents Hong Kong Island West, also told RTHK that he hoped a commercial operation model could draw visitors to remote and less crowded beaches.

He believes the pilot scheme would be attractive to businesses, adding that market forces can solve a manpower shortage of lifeguards.

“In the past, we have observed that some swimming pools and beaches operated by the LCSD were closed due to a manpower shortage,” he said.

“The salaries [for lifeguards] offered by the LCSD are fixed, and I hope that the commercial operation could raise the income of lifeguards and attract them to provide services at these beaches, improving the overall service efficiency.”

The lawmaker also said he believes more public beaches could embrace commercial operations in the future.



Edited by Tony Sabine