Discounts on menu in National Day drive

More than 1,700 restaurants are providing discounts on National Day, including some cha chaan teng chain outlets, offering up to 30 percent off for dine-in customers.

But chains such as Maxim's, Tao Heung, Fu Lum and Cafe de Coral will only offer that discount for designated dishes on October 1.

Moviegoers can catch a flick for half price at 64 cinemas.

Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, who represents the catering sector in the Legislative Council, said most restaurants have introduced dinner discounts for that day, chiming in with the SAR campaign to boost its night economy.

More than 800 eateries will also extend the offer to October 2, he said.

"People don't have to go to the crowded Greater Bay Area, it's a better option to stay in Hong Kong to consume," Cheung said.

A 30 percent discount is also to be had for dining in at restaurants such as Tai Hing and Men Wah Bing Teng.

The Lan Kwai Fong Group also said its restaurants and bars will offer the discount on selected dishes and invite DJs to perform at bars to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Cheung said the sector did not think night markets would take business away from restaurants.

"We don't care how much we earn, we just want people to be happy in line with the Happy Hong Kong campaign," he said.

Restaurants will decide whether or not to extend operating hours depending on malls' opening hours and transport arrangements for staff members, he added.

When asked whether Hong Kong has to compete with mainland cities such as Shenzhen, Cheung said the competition can improve services at local restaurants.

Quality Tourism Services Association chairman Simon Wong Kit-lung said catering sector is launching discounts to get people to stay here as well as attract tourists.

Hong Kong Theatres Association said the half-priced tickets will be up for grabs starting noon tomorrow and that the cap on tickets for each person is four.

All these efforts to liven up National Day came as former transport and housing chief Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said foreigners have been questioning whether Hong Kong is as free as in the past and that the city's image has been "confusing and blurry" after political turbulence and the implementation of national security law.

"Hong Kong should cherish its system and cultural heritage and continue to showcase its colorful street scenery, multicultural atmosphere and free and inclusive room for creativity," he wrote commentary that appeared in a Chinese newspaper.

He also said "it's a good thing for the government to spend efforts to energize the city at night, but it cannot replace the power of the private markets."

The SAR should develop high-end tourism, he said, adding that "the sector needs a transformational mindset to cater to the needs of the younger generation of mainland and international tourists and develop cultural and ecological tourism."