The National Day fireworks display is set to light up Victoria Harbour Wednesday night at 8pm, drawing many locals and tourists to Tsim Sha Tsui early to secure prime viewing spots, with some arriving as early as 8am.
Photography enthusiasts arrived equipped with chairs and umbrellas for sun protection throughout the day, with some stating they had been there since 8am, noting that the long wait was worth it, as they exchanged tips and experiences with fellow photographers to pass the time.
A family of three, who came to settle in Hong Kong under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, arrived at Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade at 3pm, excited to witness the National Day fireworks alongside locals and tourists from various cultural backgrounds, feeling proud to observe the nation’s growing strength.
A university student from Zhuhai made a special round trip to Hong Kong just to see the fireworks. Having attended the display four times before, he described it as the most beautiful in the country.
A restaurant manager on Mody Road reported that reservations for the night were already fully booked, mirroring last year's demand, and expressed optimism about business.
However, he noted that this year they were required by the government to remove all outdoor seats, which accounted for about 40 percent of their capacity. He observed a quieter atmosphere this year during the National Day holiday, with lunch business down by 50 percent compared to last year.
Another restaurant manager at the Avenue of Stars mentioned that dinner reservations were on par with last year's but anticipated a decrease in revenue by 10 to 20 percent due to lower consumer spending.
He pointed out that compared to pre-pandemic times, the spending patterns of tourists have shifted, with many mainland visitors opting for same-day trips without significant expenditure. He urged the government to consider strategies to attract more high-spending visitors to Hong Kong.
