The May 1 holiday ended on May 5, with many businesses in Hong Kong reporting successes. A large number of mainland visitors visited Hong Kong during the holidays, boosting local catering, retail and tourism businesses. This year is also the 20th anniversary of the May 4th flag-raising ceremony in Hong Kong. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s long march, various commemorative activities have been held in various places in Hong Kong.
Internet celebrities flock to popular attractions
According to a report by Hong Kong’s Sing Tao daily on the 5th, data from the Hong Kong Immigration Department showed that as of 9:00 p.m. on the 4th, 184,000 mainland tourists had entered the country that day, an estimated 899,000 mainland tourists visited Hong Kong, up from the same period last year. Located in Kowloon walled city park, the“Kowloon Walled City Light and shadow” film exhibition has attracted many mainland visitors.
Ms. Yang, from Guangzhou, said that she visited Hong Kong during the May 1 holiday this year. Living in Kowloon City, she found time to visit the exhibition after seeing many people talking about it on social media. She praised the exquisite scenery, especially the“Char siu rice in the cha cha restaurant”. Ms. Yang said that she used to watch Hong Kong dramas when she was a child, and wanted to see how the scenes in this exhibition were somewhat similar to those in previous films.
The open-top“Sunset Express” bus, which has been trending on social media, has also attracted many passengers. More than 200 people queued to board the bus at the central ferry terminal at dusk on Sunday. Ms. Leung and Ms. Xiao, who are coming to Hong Kong for the first time, said that after reading the tour guide online, they had specially arranged to take an open-top Bus on the fourth day of their arrival in Hong Kong. They were most looking forward to enjoying the different scenery of Hong Kong on the bus.
Most of the restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui were full during the lunch hour on the 4th. Some of the Internet celebrity restaurants had a lot of tourists queuing up.
Ticket economy boosts consumer willingness
Hong Kong’s hotel occupancy rate reached 90% during the golden week of May 1, Cui Dingbang, director-general of the Hong Kong Tourism Promotion Association, said Wednesday. Mr Leung Hee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of restaurants and tour operators, said revenue was up about 15-20 per cent year-on-year after members of the Association reported good catering business in tourist areas over the past few days. Shiu Ka-fai, a Hong Kong legislator in the wholesale and retail sectors, said that due to factors such as the international situation, many mainland tourists who originally planned to go abroad have turned to Hong Kong for visits, bringing brisk business to Hong Kong. In terms of sales, the category of cosmetics sold well, jewelry category has also grown, especially in the tourist area along the double-digit increase.
In recent days, the“Ticket economy” in Hong Kong caused a debate. For example, Kowloon City restaurant, located in a non-popular tourist area, saw an increase of about 15% in business during the May Day holiday due to the promotion of concerts at Kai Tak Sports Centre, where customers were given desserts or special drinks with concert tickets. The restaurant said that whenever there is a concert, the shop will launch their own ticket to send dessert drinks discount. Some tourists believe that if more attractions and event tickets offer dining or shopping discounts, it will help improve consumer willingness.
Leung Hee, chairman of the Hong Kong Hotel and restaurant association, said the“Ticket economy” has the potential to boost consumption. He further explained that with concert tickets to enjoy food or shopping concessions, can guide the audience to the concert before and after spending in the vicinity of the area, to benefit nearby businesses. He said that the association has recently promoted“Ticket economy” in the Wan Chai area. Many local bars and restaurants are willing to accept ticket stubs for concerts, exhibitions, museums and other events in exchange for free drinks. Liang Xi said that the next step will be to expand the scope of promotion to Kai Tak and other regions, the future will strengthen publicity and guidance, so that more businesses to participate.
In order to protect the tourism environment, the Immigration Department and the Tourism Board launched an anti-illegal employment operation on May 4 to crack down on illegal workers who provide tour guides and tour guides in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Immigration Department said that any person who contravenes a condition of stay is guilty of an offence and all visitors are not allowed to take up any employment in Hong Kong without the permission of the director of immigration, a maximum fine of HK $50,000 and imprisonment for 2 years. Any person who aids and abets a contravention of a condition of stay shall be guilty of the same offence.
Flag-raising ceremony marks 20th anniversary
On May 4 this year, many commemorative activities were held in Hong Kong. To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March victory and the 107th anniversary of the May 4th movement, the Hong Kong Youth Activities Committee held a flag-raising ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square on the 4th, attended by 1200 young students. At 8:00 am, members of the Hong Kong youth uniformed groups formed a flag protection phalanx and a flag-raising team. They entered the venue with a Chinese marching parade and sang the national anthem and raised the national and regional flags. In the presence of the guests, 20 youth representatives read out the“May 4th declaration” to express the young people’s firm belief in passing on the torch of Progress, stepping up to the task, and serving the country, loving Hong Kong and building a better future.
Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Activities Committee and Legislative Councillor Chong Ka-bun said that this year’s may 4th flag-raising ceremony is of great significance. In addition to commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s Long March, it is also the 20th anniversary of the May 4th flag-raising ceremony held in Hong Kong. He said that it was not only a solemn ceremony, but also a vivid history lesson, enabling the participating youth to learn more about the country from its history and resolutely translate their patriotic feelings into practical actions. It is understood that the flag-raising activities since the first held in 2006, has become an important annual event for young people in Hong Kong.
On the same day, the foundation held a lecture on the theme of the May 4th Patriotic Movement and the May 4th New Culture Movement, and analyzed how the May 4th Spirit crossed the century, it has profoundly influenced the Chinese Revolution, reform and opening up, and the process of chinese-style modernization. Speaking on social media, Hong Kong’s secretary for Education, Miss Elaine Choy, said young people were the pillars of society, the future of the country and the engine of Hong Kong’s long-term social and economic development. The Education Bureau will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors of the community to cultivate a new generation of patriots and lovers of Hong Kong, we should guide them to regard the prosperity of the country, the rejuvenation of the nation and the happiness of the people as their life ideals and personal aspirations.