(1 December 2013, Hong Kong) Around 1,000 people participated in the guided public tour today that marked the final event in a series of Geo-Month activities organised by NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or “the Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) and the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”). These activities, including a cross-border field trip for Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation, GeoMazing Hunt public orienteering contest on Tung Lung Island, and the first-of-its-kind Asia Pacific Geotourism Conference convened on Saturday (30 November), were organised in November to kick off the NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike 2013-14, which entered its sixth year under the theme of “Geoconservation without Boundaries”.
The guided public tour from Tung Chung to Mui Wo of Lantau Island was officiated this morning by the representatives from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, AGHK and NWS Holdings, underlining the close tripartite partnership that has been working towards geoconservation since 2008. The tour also raised funds for The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, and the NWS Holdings Charities Foundation will donate HK$60,000 to mark the sixth anniversary of the Geo Wonders Hike Programme. There were sign language demonstrations and educational game stalls to increase public understanding of the hearing impaired people and promote social inclusion.
Tommy Cheung, Executive Director of NWS Holdings, said, “The NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike programme has been promoting geoconservation to all walks of life since 2008. Under this year’s theme of Geoconservation without Boundaries, we aim to engage the wider public, including the young generation and the disabled, through diverse and fun-filled programmes. With our sponsorship of the Asia Pacific Geotourism Conference, we hope to bring useful discussion on how to build geoconservation as a sustainable growth driver for Hong Kong. ”
Today’s guided public tour started from the Tung Chung coastline, passing through Pak Mong, Mong To Au, Silvermine Cave and Silvermine Waterfalls, before arriving at Mui Wo. Interpretation points were set up along the route and manned by geo-guides and this year’s Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation. A free return ticket on New World First Ferry was provided for all participants. Same as last year, a photo contest is also organised.
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This press release is also available on the Group’s website ( www.nws.com.hk).
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings”, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), operates businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports & Logistics projects. Its Services portfolio comprises Facilities Management (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Free Duty), Construction & Transport (construction, bus and ferry services) and Strategic Investments.
Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”) is a charitable institution composed of volunteers with mission to preserve Hong Kong’s landforms and rocks; to disseminate earth sciences; to promote sustainable geotourism and ecotourism and to make Hong Kong a better place to live in. AGHK organises seminars, geoappreciation tours and campaigns, publishes articles and books to promote geoconservation; closely monitors developments and projects which might destroy our invaluable heritage and cooperates with government and conservation bodies to conserve our rocks and landforms.
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NWS Holdings Limited
