| IN order to improve service and provide
better quality holiday facilities to police, the Force recently reviewed its strategy on the future of holiday
homes and decided to upgrade those facilities through a programme of selling, de-leasing and replacement.
"Up to September of 1997, the Force ran a total of 32 holiday homes, ten of them in Macau and the
others in Hong Kong (with ten being owned by the Force and 22 rented from private landlords)," said
WSIP Sally Law Chan Wai-kuen of the Sports and Recreation Division. "Over the past five years there
has been a continued decline in the occupancy of these homes. In 1994 there were 5,938 bookings
made; in 4,757 in 1995, down to 3,922 in 1996."
WSIP Chan cited a variety of reasons for this decline in occupancy including the old age and poor
condition of the getaways, outdated facilities, favourable room rates offered by commercial hotels, an
increase of interest in holidaying in South China and the rigid booking procedures for the Force facilities.
Among the ten holiday homes in Macau, six are Force property and four are rented. Recently the
Force de-leased three holiday homes and rented two new facilities there. Future plans include selling the
less popular Macau properties with the proceeds from the sale going towards purchasing holiday homes
on Lantau Island and in Sai Kung.
At present there are 12 holiday homes on Lantau Island with all but three units (which are in Shek
Pik), located at Ham Tin.
"The opening of the Tsing Ma Bridge led to rapid development on Lantau Island, and we are
planning to relinquish our older facilities in Shek Pik, de-lease some units in Ham Tin, and select better
holiday homes in Silver Mine Bay and Tong Fuk," explained Mrs Chan.
The Force also has ten holiday homes in Tuen Mun and Tai Po, and one in Sai Kung - which have
proved to be very popular. "However, the possibility of relocating the Hoi Ha unit, which is in a remote
and unpopular area of Sai Kung, to a spot closer to restaurants and shops is being examined," said Mrs
Chan. "Some buildings along Sai Sha Road are also under consideration, as well as homes in the Clear
Water Bay area which are close to the beach."
In addition to its 32 holiday homes, the Force also has an agreement with nine hotels in Macau,
Hong Kong and Guangdong Province which offer favourable room rate discounts to Force members -
whose use of these hotels is on the rise.
Said WSIP Chan: "The popularity of the hotels with Force members indicates that they are prepared
to pay a little more for better facilities and service. We are therefore continuing to identify more hotels in
Macau, China and Hong Kong and to negotiate reduced room rates for Force members.
"The possibility of setting up holiday homes in southern China has also been examined with the
Force concluding that in the near future we should approach the China Travel Agency to look into
promoting group tours to the area for Force members and to assist us with setting up a China Travel Desk
in the Police Sports and Recreation Club."
A streamlining of the booking procedure for holiday homes is also in the works. "The present
procedure of booking two months in advance is too long," said WSIP Chan. "So we will be changing it to
one month.
"In addition, and in order to maximise use of every holiday home, all unbooked facilities for senior
police officers will be made available to JPOs who may apply for them on a first-come-first-served basis."
Holiday home occupancy rates in peak season can reach 95 per cent, while off-season it can fall to
25 per cent. Because the rental rate difference between the two seasons is very small - 7.2 per cent - serious
consideration is being made to lower off-season charges by up to 30 per cent in order to achieve an
off-season occupancy of 70 to 80 per cent.
"We are striving to provide good quality service to Force members," said Mrs Chan. "But, in the
end it is very important for our colleagues to contribute suggestions so that we can gear our efforts to meet
their needs."
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