********************************

If diversity is the spice of life, then Hong Kong's culinary scene, and by extension, its tourism industry, will be steadily spiced up as more venues offer alfresco dining to exploit the striking scenery.

Sai Kung District Officer Simon Yau is clearly pleased to see that his pet project to encourage and regulate the development of alfresco dining is bearing fruit. "It was in a Sai Kung District Management Committee meeting in 1999 when I first proposed that since quite a few of the restaurants along the waterfront Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street were already providing alfresco dining illegally in the evening, and clearly doing a roaring trade, we might as well introduce some controls to ensure fair and orderly development of the business while ensuring hygiene and public safety."

Mr Yau said the timely launch of the Government's Local Community Economy campaign last year gave the concept of alfresco dining a welcome shot in the arm.

"I was also fortunate to have the unwavering support of Sai Kung District Council Chairman George Ng and Councillor Hiew Chin, who happened to be Chairman of the Sai Kung Food and Beverage Association. We kept plugging the idea and over time, we were able to convince departments concerned of the timeliness and the multiple advantages in sanctioning and promoting alfresco dining. Among other things, we highlighted the benefits of job creation in a depressed economy, the addition of another tourist attraction for both local residents and foreign tourists, the synergy of a more lively street culture and people interacting in an agreeable setting and the extra spending the increased visitor influx would bring to the district."

Picking up the story, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Sai Kung) Tam Chi Wai said that to dovetail with the Local Community Economy initiative to stimulate the local economy, a "one-stop-shop" service to expedite the processing of applications for outdoor dining permits was quickly introduced.

On top of that, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department assigns a case manager to follow through the entire application process. This obviates the need for an applicant to approach various departments in meeting the many environmental and public safety requirements.

"Under the simplified system, where appropriate, the department will even arrange a case conference with relevant departments and agencies with a view to resolving the problem areas in order to expedite the processing of the application," Mr Tam said.

He added that in assessing an applicant's suitability to provide alfresco dining, matters such as access for emergency vehicles, width of the walkway and compatibility with the surrounding areas and environment were taken into account.

"Its operation should not create any environmental nuisance," he stressed.

"But while we attach great importance to the speedy processing and careful vetting of applications, we are equally stringent in taking enforcement action against restaurant operators who provide alfresco dining without approval. These illegal operators are subject to prosecution and repeated convictions may lead to suspension or cancellation of their licences," Mr Tam warned.

Since the introduction of the new alfresco dining regulations, the department has approved a total of 64 applications - 20 in Sai Kung, seven in Stanley and 37 in the other 16 districts as of the end of August. Additionally, 96 applications were under processing.

"The litmus test for licensed alfresco dining came for us in July 2002 when a six-month pilot scheme was launched along the Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, after we had completed a whole range of improvement works, including the erection of a commemorative arch and repaving of the promenade beyond it," Mr Yau said.

"Participants in the scheme all reported that their business volume had gone up by 15 to 50%. Equally important, from an environmental hygiene and public safety perspective, the pilot scheme was also declared a success," Mr Yau added.

Mr Hiew, who keeps a close eye on the restaurant sector in the district, said feedback from those licensed alfresco establishments was that the department had been quite expeditious in processing applications for outdoor dining. "I am pleased that some of them are even advocating more frequent and surprise inspections by departmental staff to ensure that licensees do not cheat by placing tables beyond the permitted areas, thereby causing obstruction to pedestrians and creating a potential hazard in an emergency.

"Tighter controls over outdoor dining through more inspections, stiffer fines and revoking of licences for repeat offenders, should further improve the overall environment," Mr Hiew said.

Mr Ng, an avid promoter of local tourism, said alfresco dining should be part of a comprehensive tourism package for both local and foreign visitors. "As a believer in the holistic approach to tourism promotion, I would like visitors to not just come to savour our excellent seafood, but to take the opportunity to visit the numerous scenic spots and ancient structures and sites of archeological or historical significance. For example, the Hung Shing Temple at Kau Sai Chau that has won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Award for Culture and Heritage Conservation. Then there are the two country parks within Sai Kung and the many recreational facilities catering for a wide variety of sports and leisure interests.

"If we are mindful of each district's unique attractions, I feel our success with alfresco dining can be transplanted to other districts," suggested Mr Ng.

A review of the outdoor dining pilot scheme in Sai Kung and a similar one in Stanley, which were jointly launched by the Tourism Commission in collaboration with the Home Affairs Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and other concerned departments, showed that both were well received by local residents and tourists.

End/Friday, September 12, 2003

NNNN