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Opinion | How investing in Hong Kong’s evening economy can revive the city’s culture and identity
- Hong Kong’s nightlife need not be limited to eating and drinking; art galleries, book stores, museums and other cultural spaces should be encouraged to stay open late
- Diversifying the city’s evening economy will bolster local tourism and foster a new sense of identity
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Hong Kong’s evening economy could cultivate a new sense of identity while unleashing new potential in the city.
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Since 2019, there have been only a few moments that have brought the whole city together in unanimous support, such as the excitement of supporting Hong Kong’s athletes at the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the emergence of local boy band Mirror.
While the city urgently needs a plan to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the potential contained within its evening economy deserves greater attention.
The current administration unveiled its plan to reform the government structure in the latest policy address. One of the proposed changes was to set up a new bureau overseeing culture, sports and tourism.
John Lee Ka-chiu, the sole candidate in Sunday’s chief executive election, has said he was inclined to support the restructuring plan. The new leadership must further its vision for the culture industry by rejuvenating and diversifying the city’s once-proud and boisterous evening economy.
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The pandemic has upended Hong Kong’s evening economy. For a long time, dine-in services stopped after 6pm, while bars and nightclubs suffered after being shut down.
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