HK 'needs more than bubble tea and pineapple buns'

It's about time Hong Kong introduced new tourism products, with Tourism Board chairman Pang Yiu-kai saying the city "cannot just stick to bubble tea and buttered pineapple buns forever."

Hong Kong welcomed some 34 million tourists last year, about half of pre-Covid numbers in 2018.

Although some retail shops and restaurants said they had not benefited from the rebound, Pang said the figure showed that quite a lot of tourists had come to Hong Kong last year.

But industries have to think about how to attract tourists to spend money.

"Tourists will always bring money, whether they will spend all of it depends on [the products] ," Pang said.

He said many hipster coffee shops had become popular because of their gimmicks. "People will flock to those places to have a drink after seeing posts on Xiaohongshu and Instagram."

Hotels can consider launching special promotions such as an English afternoon tea or breakfast to tourists.

Pang said Shenzhen has launched many brand new experiences after the pandemic, and he believes Hong Kong can do the same.

"We have to think hard and to bring in new ideas," Pang said. Bubble tea and buttered pineapple buns are tourist favorites, but Pang said "isn't it time to think about changes?"

He said the tourism-related sectors have to get some breakthrough ideas, citing Moutai-laced coffee in the mainland as a big hit.

Pang spoke as Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki chaired a coordination meeting yesterday on cross-boundary transport arrangements for large-scale events in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays, with a large number of locals and tourists expected to join a series of events in Hong Kong.

"The relevant bureaux and departments, together with stakeholders in transport, tourism and other sectors, have been engaging in close communication and coordination," he said.

"They have steadfastly made comprehensive planning and mobilization arrangements to ensure the orderly implementation of special crossing and transport arrangements, especially the diversion of people and vehicular movements after large-scale events, during the Lunar New Year holiday."