Hong Kong civil servant holiday villa usage falls below 50%

The occupancy rates for government-provided holiday villas for civil servants in Hong Kong have fallen below 50% during the first seven months of this year. Data shows that the villas located in Cheung Sha, Lantau Island, and Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, recorded usage rates of 49% and 47% respectively, a notable decrease from the 60% range seen throughout last year.

The Civil Service Bureau attributed the decline to unstable weather and heavy rainfall over recent months, which discouraged staff from booking. The Bureau stated that there are currently no plans to change the purpose of these facilities, which were originally reservoir dormitories and offer basic amenities. Rental rates range from HK$227 to HK$721 per night, depending on the employee's salary.

Critics and representatives have raised concerns regarding the facilities' competitiveness. Chan Cho-kwong, President of the Hong Kong Civil Servants' Association, noted that the remote locations make them less attractive than they were during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Legislative Council member Chan Cho-kwong suggested that the lack of modern amenities, such as swimming pools or gyms, creates a significant gap in experience compared to hotels in Shenzhen, especially as traveling to mainland China has become more convenient for Hong Kong residents.