Editorial | Wine and Dine Fest truly lives up to tag of being a ‘mega’ event

Hong Kong has long prided itself on being a top destination for lovers of food and wine, boasting a wide variety of high-quality bars and restaurants. But the pandemic hit the food and beverage industry hard and it has struggled to recover amid weak local consumption and a trend for residents to head for the mainland at weekends and holidays.

So it was good to see that spirits were – for some, literally – lifted by the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, a five-day feast of eating and drinking on the Central harbourfront, which wrapped up last month. The event has, with justification, been hailed as a success.

It attracted 155,000 visitors, a 10 per cent increase on last year. They were able to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere while tucking into everything from local street food to Michelin-starred cuisine, with drinks and delicacies from 35 countries and regions.

About 1,000 different beverages were on offer, with wine taking centre stage but complemented by cocktails and spirits. The timing was good, coming just after the government announced a reduction in tax on liquor.

A much bigger presence was given to Chinese wines this year, with the exhibition area reserved for them doubled and 29 wineries represented. This reflected their rising quality and popularity, providing a welcome opportunity for visitors from overseas to try them.

Visitor numbers were boosted by a sensible collaboration between the Tourism Board, which organised the event, and the cruise industry. Eight thousand passengers on three cruise ships docked in the city were invited to attend, many making a memorable ferry trip across the harbour to attend.