A Talk on Sustaining Heritage, Reimagining Rural Tourism

Explore how revitalising rural areas can unlock the potential of cultural tourism, balancing heritage preservation, economic development, and community sustainability.

Classroom/ Lecture Hall

1 hour

Talk overview

Revitalising Hong Kong’s rural areas presents both opportunities and challenges. Villages, heritage buildings, and natural landscapes hold cultural and economic potential, yet require thoughtful strategies to balance conservation with tourism development. This talk explores how cultural tourism can become a driver of local revitalisation while preserving unique traditions and environments.

Talk Highlights

Understanding Rural Revitalisation: Explore the concept and its importance in safeguarding local culture, history, and natural landscapes.
From Heritage to Tourism Asset: Learn how traditions, historic architecture, and natural scenery can be developed into sustainable tourism resources.
Case Studies: Review successful local and international examples of rural revitalisation and cultural tourism, and consider lessons for Hong Kong.
Balancing Development and Sustainability: Discuss how tourism can benefit residents while protecting the environment and ensuring community well-being.
Stakeholders in Action: Examine the roles of government, NGOs, and community groups in driving rural revitalisation through cultural tourism.

Paul Chan Chi Yuen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Walk in Hong Kong, a cultural enterprise dedicated to curating immersive heritage and community experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and Postgraduate Certificate in Laws from the University of Hong Kong, a Master of Philosophy from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a Master of Science in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Paul’s career spans academia, government, and media, having served as a part-time lecturer at CUHK’s Department of Government and Public Administration, as Political Assistant to the Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR Government (2008–2012), and as a presenter and commentator at RTHK.

In recent years, Paul has focused on the intersection of rural revitalisation, cultural conservation, and sustainable tourism. In 2021, he advised the Tourism Lab Project of the Make A Difference Institute, exploring innovative tourism resources in the North District, including Sha Tau Kok and Lai Chi Wo. He also contributes to Rural Common (村里故事), a project funded by the Countryside Conservation Office, where he guides the collection of oral histories and cultural narratives in Lai Chi Wo and translates them into meaningful tourism and conservation experiences. With over a dozen visits to the village, Paul is deeply familiar with its cultural landscape and historical legacies, making him well-positioned to share insights on how rural conservation and cultural tourism can go hand in hand.

Tour Information

We reserve the right to make changes to the information, prices and itineraries of the tours as set out in our website and all printed promotional materials. Provided that such changes have been made prior to the confirmation of a booking, such changes shall be binding on the participants.
Any information or advice provided by us on matters including but not limited to walking routes, climate, clothing, travel documents, baggage, special equipment, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of us.
All information provided on our website is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot assure that such information would be free from errors or omission and we shall assume no responsibilities for any such errors of omission.
Our website may contain hyperlinks to other websites owned and operated by third parties. We have no control over, or associate with, such sites and we assume no responsibilities for the contents of such sites. The inclusion of such sites on our website does not imply our endorsement of such sites.
We do not warrant that our website would be free from computer viruses and we accept no liabilities or responsibilities for any loss or damage that may arise as a result.

Bad Weather Policy

If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued three hours before the tour starts, the tour will be canceled.
If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued during the tour, the tour will be canceled immediately.
If the tour needs to be canceled due to other adverse weather conditions, we will contact you by phone at least 2.5 hours before the tour. (If there is no response, we will follow up with an SMS or email.)
If the tour is canceled due to adverse weather on the day, we will work with you to reschedule a new date within six months from the original tour date.

Tour Reminder

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the walk. Bring an umbrella, a bottle of water and some snacks just in case.
Each participant may bring their own 3.5mm plug headphone if they have one for the wireless transmitter/receiver system which will be used on the tour. The guide will provide them a new one otherwise, but for hygienic and environmental reasons participants are strongly suggested to bring their own earphones if possible.
There is a possibility that our organization may take photographs or videos during the guided tour, and these captured images or footage may be used for future promotion and publicity. If participants do not agree with this arrangement, please inform the tour guide or organizer during registration and on the day of the event.

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