Regal Hotels Offers 160 Free Rooms to Tai Po Fire Victims Amid Hong Kong's Worst Blaze in Decades

Hong Kong Rallies: Regal Hotels Extends Aid to Tai Po Fire Victims

In a powerful display of corporate social responsibility, Regal Hotels International has stepped forward to offer crucial support to victims of the devastating Tai Po fire, which has been described as Hong Kong's worst blaze in seven decades. The hotel group announced its commitment to provide free lodging in 160 rooms across 12 of its properties for two weeks, aiming to alleviate the immediate suffering of those displaced by the tragedy.

The catastrophic fire, which ignited on a Wednesday, ripped through seven apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, leaving thousands homeless and causing a significant loss of life. As of Friday morning, the death toll tragically climbed to 75, with several hundred residents still unaccounted for, highlighting the immense scale of the disaster.

A Unified Effort from Hong Kong's Business Community

Regal Hotels' initiative, spearheaded by chairwoman Poman Lo, is not an isolated act of generosity but rather part of a broader, unified response from Hong Kong's leading businesses. The 160 rooms will be sourced from Regal's diverse portfolio, encompassing properties under the Regal, Regalia, and iClub brands. Demonstrating a holistic approach to aid, the hotels will also offer complimentary meals to the displaced residents, with some locations even being pet-friendly to accommodate families with their beloved animals.

The hotel giant joins other prominent developers and hoteliers in a collective drive to assist the stricken community:

• Sun Hung Kai Properties: Hong Kong's largest property developer by market value, pledged HK$20 million (US$2.6 million) in emergency support and made 160 rooms available in its Imperial hotel chain.
• Sino Group: Alongside its philanthropic arm, the Ng Ting Fong Charitable Foundation, Sino Group contributed HK$20 million in donations and offered 160 rooms across three of its hotels. In a move reflecting sensitivity to the ongoing crisis, Sino also postponed the sales launch of 150 flats at its One Park Place in Yau Tong.
• New World Development: This developer also delayed the sales of 63 units at its Austin Bohemian project in Yau Ma Tei, prioritizing community support over business as usual during this challenging time.

The outpouring of support from these major corporations underscores a profound sense of solidarity within the Hong Kong business community, as they unite to provide essential relief and demonstrate compassion in the face of an unprecedented urban disaster.