Time to put on happy faces

Sophie Hui

Another "Happy Hong Kong" campaign will be launched to keep locals happy and smiling.

Large-scale food fairs, gourmet marketplaces and a sea-land summer carnival are but a few events designed to bring more joy to the community, Paul Chan said.

The events can help boost local consumption and the economy, he added.

Chan said the "Happy Hong Kong" campaign was inspired by the "happy faces" he saw as people sought to reconnect with each other as Covid curbs were lifted after more than two years of the pandemic.

The Gourmet Marketplace and international food fairs will be held in various places in the next few months.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board will organize a sea-land carnival next to the Victoria Harbour in the summer.

Dance, music and street performances from all over the world will be on offer at the carnival, with a brand-new light show replacing the nightly light and laser show.

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Cyberport and the Science and Technology Parks will hold themed fairs, carnivals and other activities this year.

"I hope that people can share more joyful moments with their families and friends," Chan said.

The government will allocate additional funding of about HK$200 million to the HKTB to "attract high value-added visitors" through international events, conventions and exhibitions.

Chan also announced a HK$2.7 billion loan to support eligible passenger transport operators and licensed travel agents. This will be launched in April.

The Travel Agents Incentive Scheme - due to expire next month - will be extended for three months.

Authorities aim to inject HK$30 million to enhance the travel sector through the use of technology.

Separately, Chan said that airport charges will be reduced or waived to boost post-Covid revival.

And the Airport Authority plans to provide incentives to resume suspended flights or launch new routes, while introducing promotional activities.

"Meanwhile, the government and the AA are examining the medium-to-long-term manpower shortage situation in the aviation industry, with a view to identifying solutions to the problem," Chan said.

He said the AA plans to construct a new aviation business park on Airport Island, and it is exploring with Zhuhai authorities the feasibility of building an aviation industrial park in the mainland.

The government will boost the aircraft leasing preferential tax regime.

Additionally, the Transport and Logistics Bureau will set up a task force to promote the international high-end maritime service industry.