MEGA EVENTS SET TO BOLSTER TOURISM

Hundreds of millions of dollars will be set aside to attract tourists and enliven Hong Kong's image, Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in his 2023-24 Budget.

Mr Chan stressed that Hong Kong has long been a world-renowned events capital and the organising of mega events, international conferences and exhibitions is especially crucial to drawing high value-added visitors.

This is why Hong Kong, he stressed, must spare no effort in staging and supporting more international mega events and activities to further augment the city's image and enhance its competitiveness as an events capital.

International Events

To enhance Hong Kong's international image, he said the Government will earmark $100 million for attracting more mega events with significant visitor appeal and tourism promotional effect to be staged in the city.

In addition to that, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is set to spend over $250 million to sustain its efforts in organising or helping promote major tourism events.

Such events include the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to be held for the first time, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Sevens and Arts Basel.

Major Conventions & Exhibitions

Regarding major conventions and exhibitions, Mr Chan emphasised that the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will hold more than 10 major conferences and exhibitions in the coming months.

“It is anticipated that these events will attract over 500,000 participants. Moreover, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt & Road Initiative, the Government will continue to co-organise the annual Belt & Road Summit with the HKTDC to actively promote Hong Kong as a functional platform and a key link for the initiative.”

Additional funding of about $200 million will be allocated with the goal of securing the staging of more international meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) of various scales and types in respect of finance, innovation and technology, medicine, etc in Hong Kong, to attract high value-added visitors and consolidate Hong Kong's position as the premier MICE destination.

He outlined the Monetary Authority's plans to jointly organise an international conference on banking supervision in Hong Kong with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision next month and added that it is also discussing with the Bank for International Settlements a proposal to hold the Central Bank Governors Meeting in Hong Kong.

As regards the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, it will be held again this year to showcase Hong Kong's unique edges and investment environment.

Promote Hong Kong

On the topic of promoting Hong Kong, the finance chief pointed out the importance of inviting visitors to come to the city, which would, at the same time, raise the city's profile around the world.

He said: “The Task Force on Promoting & Branding Hong Kong, led by myself, comprises distinguished personalities from various sectors of society, with the aim of exploring novel ways to promote Hong Kong to the world.

“Government departments and related units will make concerted efforts to promote Hong Kong's new advantages under the direction of the task force. I will provide a grant of $50 million for supporting the relevant work.”

“Hello Hong Kong”

As part of the Government's aim of bolstering Hong Kong's economic and business advantages, Mr Chan explained that it launched a large-scale global promotional campaign themed “Hello Hong Kong” in early February.

The campaign aims to showcase and promote the city's new bright economic prospects, new cultural vision and new travel experience in a holistic manner, with a view to attracting more business travellers and tourists from the Mainland and all over the world to visit Hong Kong, he noted.

“The Airport Authority has announced that it would give away free air tickets while the HKTB is handing out gift packs to inbound visitors. Notwithstanding our status as a culinary capital and a shopping paradise, we also need to enhance promotion efforts while tourism is on the road to recovery.

“In this connection, the HKTB will distribute Hong Kong goodies to one million inbound visitors, offering them shopping and dining privileges.

“In addition, the HKTB will provide greater incentive to attract visits of international cruises, with a view to facilitating the revival of the cruise industry and consolidating Hong Kong's position as a major cruise port.”

“Happy Hong Kong”

In yet another campaign that strives to attract more tourists to Hong Kong, the Financial Secretary revealed that the Government will soon launch the Happy Hong Kong Campaign for the general public, providing them opportunities to share happy and enjoyable moments together, thereby bringing more joy to the community.

“The campaign will focus on activities related to gourmet experiences, fun amusements and exciting ambience. Apart from providing members of the public with more diverse choices of fun and interesting activities in Hong Kong, it will also help stimulate local consumption and boost our economy.

“One of the major themes for this series of events is the launch of a Gourmet Marketplace, under which large-scale food fairs will be organised in various locations across the territory in the coming months, bringing together Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gourmet food, with a view to enabling the public and visitors enjoy the good food in the city.”

An additional highlight comprises the organisation of a large-scale sea-land carnival by the HKTB in the summer, with Victoria Harbour as the stage. Apart from a wide range of dancing, music and street performances presented by performing groups from around the world, a brand new lighting show will also be staged.

Moreover, Mr Chan added that in support of the Happy Hong Kong Campaign, organisations like the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation will each hold themed fairs, carnivals or other activities this year.

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