The Hong Kong government had “clearly stated” to the organiser of a failed hot-air balloon festival that the chance of approving passengers to ride in the aircraft was “extremely slim” and had recommended that it cancel the attraction and issue refunds ahead of time, the tourism chief has revealed. Making public the details for the…
Hong Kong recently passed a controversial tobacco control bill that sought to further reduce the city’s smoking rate, prompting some lawmakers to raise concerns about the possible impact on tourism and the illicit cigarette trade. The bill covers eight of the 10 tobacco control measures raised by the government in June last year, including a…
The organiser that brought popular bands Coldplay and Blackpink to Hong Kong will fill a “venue gap” by opening a new mid-sized concert space this autumn, adding to the city’s efforts to develop a mega-event economy. Live Nation’s president of venue development in Asia, Stephanie Bax, said on Wednesday that the company would convert a…
Hong Kong authorities are seeking proposals from interested parties to run a two-year pilot programme for sports dispute resolution, a move experts have said is a key step in establishing a neutral third-party intervention mechanism for the growing sector. Observers said on Monday that such a programme would enhance the city’s reputation as a leading…
Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom will be repositioned to hold more concerts following the launch of Kai Tak Sports Park, the city’s tourism chief has said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui also revealed on Saturday the government would reserve some venues for long-running performances and Cantonese opera to ensure groups…
Tickets for the National Games will be available in Hong Kong from August, three months ahead of the event, to synchronise with sales in Macau and on mainland China, the head of the local coordination office has said. Yeung Tak-keung, head of the National Games Coordination Office, said on Tuesday that the tickets would be…
Hong Kong authorities have proposed a 50 per cent duty on the operators’ net betting profits from basketball gambling, while a public consultation found that 94 per cent of respondents supported legalising such activities. In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council on Thursday, the government said that the existing calculation and collection methods for…
Hong Kong should target high-spending multicultural audiences rather than mass-market tourism, experts have said in response to Shanghai unveiling plans for its mega-event economy – potentially putting the two cities in direct competition. In terms of booking international superstars, Shanghai already has the lead. The mainland Chinese metropolis hosted two concerts by American diva Mariah…
Cantopop star Nicholas Tse Ting-fung has wrapped up his four-day run of concerts at Kai Tak Sports Park, attracting tens of thousands of fans and the city’s leader, with observers saying such mega-events will boost the city’s soft power and economy. Tse’s previous solo concert in the city was in 2000 at the Hong Kong…
Cantopop star Nicholas Tse Ting-fung has wrapped up his four-day run of concerts at Kai Tak Sports Park, attracting tens of thousands of fans and the city’s leader, with observers saying such mega-events will boost the city’s soft power and economy. Tse’s previous solo concert in the city was in 2000 at the Hong Kong…