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Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday has concluded. On September 30, Hong Kong recorded 394,000 inbound and 545,000 outbound visits, setting a new high since the epidemic. On the National Day, there were 513,000 inbound and 406,000 outbound visits. Cui Dingbang, Director-General of the Tourism Promotion Association, estimates that the number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week holiday (October 1 to 7) will exceed one million, but has not yet returned to the level of 2018; the tourism industry and members of the Legislative Council also It is suggested to the authorities that night market measures should be maintained for a long time and be publicized more. In addition, the regional night markets, including the Wan Chai Market “Harbourfront Arts and Crafts”, were open for the last night last night. The overall flow of people was good. In the evening, you had to queue for 45 minutes to enter. The business of merchants was generally better than expected, and some Citizens support the regularization of night markets.
Hong Kong’s colorful night scene at the Waterfront Arts Center
Hong Kong’s colorful night scene at the Waterfront Arts Center
During the first National Day Golden Week when Hong Kong returned to normalcy after the epidemic, an average of about 300,000 Hong Kong residents left the country by land every day, which was about double the number of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong. From Friday to Sunday last Friday, about 300,000 mainland visitors entered Hong Kong in three days. The number of passengers was 459,000, which was only about 2% more than the first three days of May Day. That is, the average number of passengers was only about 2,000 more per day, which was only about 60% of the level before the epidemic.
Cui Dingbang pointed out that one of the reasons for the situation of “more outbound than inbound” is that the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate makes tourists feel that spending in Hong Kong is very high, while staying in the mainland is much more cost-effective; and domestic tourism development is very strong and prosperous. In the face of the trend of domestic tourism and competition from other cities in the Asian market, more than 100,000 tourists still come to Hong Kong every day. The overall number of visitors to Hong Kong is actually good. He also pointed out that Hong Kong’s current measures to attract tourists are not enough. In addition to the need for long-term night markets, the government should also promote in-depth travel itineraries and promote them in the mainland through Xiaohongshu and Internet celebrities; the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong can Competitions are held to encourage local travel agencies to design some in-depth travel itineraries to meet the needs of mainland tourists.
Legislator Yiu Pak-liang of the tourism industry believes that holding markets and activities on the seaside will definitely increase the attraction. When the local market atmosphere is established, tourists can be attracted to visit. He continued that there was not much publicity for this market, and there was no guidance on how to get to the market. Therefore, if you want to “promote” the market to tourists in the future, you can consider designing different tourist routes to attract tourists, such as taking the Star Ferry and then visiting the market. He also said that many seaside cities around the world now combine some “waterside” areas with commercial elements. On the other hand, the local seaside is mainly for recreation and leisure. He believes that this model should be changed and combined with commercial elements to make the seaside active.
Street visit to the Waterfront Art Tour
Street visit to the Waterfront Art Tour
Market merchants’ business is better than expected
On the last night of last night at the Wan Chai Market “Harbourfront Arts and Crafts”, Mr. Hui, a merchant selling handmade cookies and milk tea, said that business was better than expected. “Perhaps the weather is hot and cookies are not so popular.” In addition to cookies, drinks and The Coconut King was successfully sold out, with a total of 2,000 Coconut King and 200 handmade milk teas sold on the 6th day of the event. Mr. Xu mentioned that the business could not be opened during the prime time on National Day, effectively losing business for half a day. However, the flow of people increased significantly after the fireworks. Asked whether night market activities should continue to be held in the future, he said that if the government wants to develop the night economy, regularization of night market activities is necessary. He also expressed interest in continuing to participate and believed that if rent and electricity bills were cheaper, more merchants would respond. Mr. Hui also suggested that in the future, merchants should be allowed to set up stalls in night markets in different areas, “this time in Wan Chai, next time in Kwun Tong”, so that the products can be more diverse and fresh.
Sales of the cooked food stalls were also good. Mr. Zhang, the merchant, said that the footfall on the second and third days of the event was better than expected. Even though it was not the prime time of 7 to 9 pm, there were still customers from time to time. “Originally, we expected that the day of the fireworks would attract the most people, but it turned out to be the opposite.” He expected that there would be between 5,000 and 6,000 people a day. The number of people on the second and third days would be even worse, but the number of people on National Day would be slightly lower due to the fireworks arrangement. . He mentioned that the siomai fish balls were very popular, while the mutton skewers even sold out all 800 pieces in stock. In addition, Mr. Zhang supports the regularization of activities. “It’s a waste to have so much open space just for jogging and enjoying the scenery.” He believes that the night market can help attract more people, just like Temple Street in the past.
In addition to regular business support activities, the public’s response to the night market has also been very good. Ren, a child who arrived after having afternoon tea, said that there have been no similar activities during the three years of the epidemic, and the existing market is very good for people to go out after eating. She also mentioned that the event included concert performances and the atmosphere was good. If there is another night market in the future, she would be there to support it. “This event is fun and can boost the economy!”
Street visit to the Waterfront Art Tour
Street visit to the Waterfront Art Tour
Tourists: Mainland lacks promotion of Hong Kong night markets
Although the Wan Chai Waterfront Arts and Entertainment Center has been well received by locals, some tourists pointed out that the event lacks publicity in the mainland. Mr. Li from Shenzhen pointed out that he had not seen any promotion related to the Waterfront Arts Center in Xiaohongshu. He just passed by this place because he wanted to enjoy the scenery of Victoria Harbor. “I think most of the tourists who come here are because of Victoria Harbor!” Mr. Li also pointed out. , Hong Kong night markets are similar to those in the Mainland, and he bluntly said that the activities did not attract him.
In addition, a three-night night market was held at the Kwun Tong Waterfront. Kowloon East Legislative Council Member Tang Ka-piu believes that this location has always been a leisure hotspot for residents and has the potential to develop a night market. He also pointed out that the Kwun Tong Waterfront is far away from residential buildings, so even if a night market is held, it will not cause nuisance. , and there is a business district nearby, where office workers can go to the night market for recreation after work. I hope the authorities will consider holding a long-term market on the Kwun Tong waterfront and add more “play” and “eat” elements to attract people.
Another Kowloon East Legislative Council member Ngan Man-yu believes that “the Kwun Tong waterfront is relatively remote and is surrounded by industrial villages or commercial areas.” It is difficult to set up a market to promote the “night economy.” He also pointed out that not all beachfronts need to have tourist areas or markets. If it targets tourists, “it should be concentrated in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, and the market type should be customized according to the positioning of each section of the promenade.” He agrees that the waterfront should have commercial elements, but the positioning must be considered. Kwun Tong’s waterfront is dominated by local residents. If a market is held there, limited-time products should be sold, or the theme can be family and parent-child.
The original article was published on AM730
2023-10-02 20:31:59
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