Who's to blame for festive fizzle?

This Christmas was rather special.

Although huge crowds converged along the harbor to watch the fireworks, the Christmas Eve festive mood failed to linger after the display.

Restaurateurs, including Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong Ka-wo, were disappointed that the fireworks excitement did not transform into the monetary business they had been expecting.

Surely, someone must take the blame for the shortfall?

It was a bitter irony. Rather than celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong - a place historically known for its cultural diversity, a so-called melting pot blessed with the best of both worlds - a significant number of the local population headed elsewhere for the holiday.

Most went to the mainland, taking their journeys much further to the north this time.

This was despite reports that local residents in some cities had been told not to celebrate Christmas as the holiday was said to be foreign to Chinese culture.

By now, not only ordinary people but also officials, including Tourism Secretary Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, will be familiar with the reasons why so many Hongkongers have been going to the mainland for their holidays.

The main factor is that they can buy more goods and services with the same amount of money in the mainland. At the same time, they can get away from the SAR for a short break from the daily routine.

As the highest-ranking official in charge of tourism, Yeung is duty-bound to take the lead to put forward an effective strategy to reverse the shortfall.

That is his responsibility.

Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying made a valid observation when he said the situation that the city must strive to reverse was primarily a tourism matter.

Although he stopped short of naming any individual official in particular in his social media post, Leung obviously had someone in mind. Does the government not have a policy bureau dedicated to tourism?

Leung is also a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. As he said, the Security Bureau and Immigration Department could help by relaxing some of the entry restrictions - but these departments are not responsible for getting travelers to come to Hong Kong.

It is true that no one should blame the goalkeeper for not scoring if that is a job for the team's forward.

Earlier, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po was tasked with leading a review to stimulate the financial market here with a view to making it active.

By the same token, should the tourism minister be tasked to lead a review to break down all the walls that may have been keeping mainlanders and foreigners from coming to Hong Kong in significant numbers?

Christmas celebrations had been an essential part of Hong Kong's way of life for years with harborfront skyscrapers decorated with festive lighting.

The fireworks display on Christmas Eve was spectacular - it was a pity the effect was as short-lived as the display and unable to benefit local businesses as in the past.

Will the situation be reversed by next Christmas? The city has high expectations of the tourism minister.