Lan Kwai Fong Association chairman Allan Zeman said yesterday Hong Kong needs more festive events to attract visitors and get people out of their homes.

He expects more locals to show up for the July 11-12 event to make up for sliding tourist figures. The average ratio of locals and tourists hitting the beer and food party is about 70-30.

The association is investing a seven-figure sum on the event.

Zeman said only health concerns or the heat would deter the festival crowd.

"People are still worried about human swine flu, but they have learned to live with it. It was hot on Wednesday, but many people marched anyway," he said.

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Last year's beer festival attracted 150,000 people.

Zeman noted customers are becoming more price sensitive these days and said beer and food will be offered at different price levels to appeal to all.

Every street and corner in Lan Kwai Fong will be filled with food stalls, beer booths, games and music. There will be eating and drinking contests and a beauty pageant.

As the festival is outdoors, people banned from smoking in bars and pubs can light up, Zeman said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health Tobacco Control Office has received 13 complaints regarding ban violators since the exemption on smoking in bars, nightclubs, mahjong parlors, massage establishments and bathhouses ended on July 1.

Four complaints involved bars, seven related to mahjong parlors and two to clubs.

Zeman, a supporter of the extended smoking ban, said there is zero tolerance in his premises, even though some other owners of bars or entertainment venues have made it clear to the government they could not stop customers from smoking.

Zeman said customers have been cooperative when reminded of the smoking ban.

No one had been asked to leave in the first two days of implementation.