Hong Kong launches nightlife campaign to boost 'night

Hong Kong has launched a nightlife campaign to “boost its night-time economy”, financial chief Paul Chan had said, amid a weaker than expected economic growth outlook.

“This event was led by the Hong Kong government, and by joining forces with all walks of society, we hope to boost night-time business, “Chan said in Cantonese during the opening ceremony of the “Hong Kong Night Vibes” campaign on Thursday.

The campaign will involve night markets, food stalls, movie screenings and live music shows during weekends on both sides of Victoria Harbour, including at Wan Chai harbourfront, Sai Wan harbourfront and Kwun Tong harbourfront, and Avenue of Stars.

The “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, introduced in February, spent at least HK$2 billion to revive tourism, including giving away 500,000 plane tickets and welcome gifts to overseas visitors.

The authorities launched another campaign, “Happy Hong Kong,” in April to boost local consumption in shops and restaurants. Movie tickets were offered to Hongkongers for HK$30 and food fairs were organised across the city.

However, the city’s economy has seen a slow post-pandemic recovery. In July, Hong Kong recorded 3.59 visitors, nearly 31 per cent less than the number of visitors in July 2019.

In June, the value of retail sales was the lowest for the month since 2011, excluding 2020 to 2022, when the city was under pandemic-related restrictions.

In August, the government narrowed its growth domestic product growth outlook in 2023 from 3.5-6.5 per cent to 4-6 per cent. According to economists surveyed by Bloomberg on Monday, Hong Kong’s GDP would expand 4 per cent this year, down from previous estimates of 4.6 per cent.