Campaign to bring back nightlife buzz

Discounts for nighttime consumption should be launched as business at the Temple Street Market has dropped by half compared to prepandemic levels, traders said.

The Hong Kong Bar and Club Association chairman Chin Chun-wing welcomed the government's new plan to revive Hong Kong's night economy, adding it would boost business at bars and pubs by 20 percent.

This came after Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that in the short term, there is a need to collaborate with the industry to revitalize the city's night market and consolidate various economic sectors in the process of recovery.

Chin said since border restrictions were fully lifted, many Hong Kong citizens spend money during their travels abroad, resulting in a 30 percent decline in overall business revenue for the bar industry - a significant blow to the nighttime economy.

He said the government should provide policy support by offering discounts to bar operators, such as waiving food and liquor licensing fees.

He also said the Hong Kong Tourism Board could promote the cultural characteristics of bars in the 18 districts through its platform, alongside promoting Hong Kong's bar culture in the mainland. He also urged the government to hold regular bar cultural festival events with distinctive features that can be held in public venues such as parks or stadiums to attract more young mainland tourists to consume in Hong Kong.

He said this could attract hundreds of thousands of young tourists to the SAR. It would also boost the food and beverage, entertainment and transportation industries.

Hong Kong Catering Industry Association president Simon Wong Ka-Wo agreed that revitalizing the local night market is necessary but government support is essential and must be carried out on a large scale across all 18 districts to disperse the crowds.

Federation of Hong Kong Kowloon New Territories Association chairman Clement Chan Kam-wing said that nighttime movie tickets, for example, could attract more citizens to patronize night markets.

"When watching a movie in a cinema, local residents usually pay around HK$80 for a daytime show. Can we provide a subsidy of HK$30 for evening shows to attract them to go out at night?" he said.

"We can also offer transportation discounts or issue targeted consumption vouchers that can only be used at night, either exclusively for tourists or specific groups of people.

"In terms of food, Hong Kong still has an advantage. If the city can organize food markets that are only open during the evening, it will definitely be of great help in attracting tourists," he added.

Liberal Party lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai said the government should also learn from the example of night markets in Bangkok and Taiwan.

Shiu also recommended the government extend the operating hours of public services, alongside transportation discounts, in order to reduce late-night commute expenses for citizens. He suggested that taxis, minibuses and other commercial vehicles be allowed to use the three underwater tunnels free of charge.