Hong Kong to create more tourism offerings based around Port Island, where dinosaur fossils were found
City leader John Lee says new offerings will combine geopark’s existing attractions, such as hexagonal rock columns, with fossil exhibits
Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to tap the tourism potential of Port Island, where the city’s first dinosaur bone fossils were discovered, but experts have cautioned that conservation should be the first priority in developing a park already recognised on a global level.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday the plan would combine existing attractions, such as the hexagonal volcanic rock columns that fell within the geopark surrounding Port Island, with exhibits of dinosaur fossils.
Lee’s remarks came a week after authorities announced they had found dinosaur bone fossils on Port Island in the northeastern waters of the city. Experts estimated the fossils dated back to the Cretaceous period, about 145 million to 66 million years ago.
“We are all very excited,” he told reporters before a meeting with his advisers on the Executive Council. “So rightfully, we will be considering how to develop this into a good attraction.”
Lee said work was proceeding on the island to ensure the best handling and maintenance of the fossils, adding the government would “develop Hong Kong as a place for us to learn more about the history of dinosaurs”.
Lee also said the hexagonal volcanic rock columns in the geopark were a major attraction to visitors interested in geological history.
