Editorial | Hong Kong, Asia’s events capital, can ill afford to host any more mega-flops
Bigger is not necessarily better, and with nearly 100 Hong Kong events already planned for next year they must be worth the investment
Riding on “the bigger the better” mentality, Hong Kong authorities have doubled down on the so-called mega-events economy with more shows, conferences, exhibitions and games scheduled for the first half of next year. While such a strategy may to a certain extent attract visitors and their spending, there is a need to be more selective.
Officials should review the experience of the past year and ensure that all entries in a packed calendar can truly boost the economy and the city’s image as the events capital of Asia.
Among the highlights are showcases of 52 impressionist works by French masters Paul Cezanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir at the Hong Kong Museum of Art from January 17 to May 7, and more than 60 masterpieces by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso at M+ from mid-March to mid-July. The former is jointly organised with the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay, while the latter is co-curated by Musee National Picasso-Paris.
Others include the world tour of British rock band Coldplay and the Hong Kong Sevens at the Kai Tak Sports Park, a new facility that can stage more large-scale spectacles.
If official estimates are any guide, there seems to be much to gain. The 93 attractions are expected to draw about 840,000 tourists and total spending of around HK$3.3 billion (US$424.4 million), adding about HK$1.8 billion in value to the economy.
Officials believe events this year are also on track to draw 2 million visitors, with a total consumption of HK$7.5 billion and HK$4.5 billion of added value, more than anticipated.
