Deep Dive: Hong Kong needs Taylor Swift, not mega events, economists say

A Dior fashion show, giant inflatable hearts, statues of characters from the novels of late martial arts writer Louis Cha Leung-yung and a pop art festival are among the highlights of major events to boost Hong Kong’s economy.

Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, chairman of a government committee to attract mega events to the city, said three arts and cultural events in the next two months were expected to bring in at least 600,000 tourists.

“Chubby Hearts”, an arts installation by British fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, will make its debut in Hong Kong on Valentine’s Day, while the ComplexCon pop art show will be held in March; it is the first time this show is taking place outside the United States.

Much fanfare will surround French luxury brand Dior’s global event in Hong Kong on March 23. Dior artistic director Kim Jones will present his men’s autumn collection in the city.

Dior is returning to Hong Kong for the first time in March since showcasing its men’s winter collection at Shaw Studios in 2016. It will also be the second global brand to host a fashion event locally in recent months after Louis Vuitton’s first-ever Hong Kong runway show at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in November.

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“All the events will boost tourism, hotels and hospitality, and retail,” said Cheng, chairman of the government’s Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee and who was credited with bringing the Dior show to Hong Kong.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun promised that the government would take a proactive approach so the city could attract and host world events related to arts and culture, as well as shopping and dining.

Wong said Hong Kong would host more than 80 mega events in the first six months of the year, aiming to “bring joy and pride” to locals and tourists alike while boosting the economy and promoting the city’s image.

These include 16 sporting occasions, 25 trade shows, financial summits and cultural events.

Wong said he would set up and chair a cross-departmental unit to support mega-event organisers to ensure a smooth process when seeking government approval on licences, crowd management and traffic arrangements.

“We will also step up the marketing of mega events in the city so that the public will be aware of them,” he said.

Staff writers

The Mega Show, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in October, was a sourcing event for toys, gifts and household products. Trade shows and conferences are part of the government’s plan to attract visitors. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Question prompts:

1. According to government officials, what will hosting mega events do for Hong Kong?

(1) boost tourism, hotels, and the events industry

(2) promote Hong Kong culture

(3) bring joy and pride to locals and tourists

(4) promote the city’s global image

A. (1), (3) and (4) only

B. (1), (2) and (4) only

C. (1), (2) and (3) only

D. (2), (3) and (4) only

2. Aside from arts and cultural events, name TWO other types of mega events that will be held in Hong Kong during the first six months of the year.

3. Using News and Glossary, explain why mega-events could be a useful way to boost the city’s economy. What are two possible challenges associated with these events, and how could the government address them?

Graph

Question prompts:

1. Describe the trend shown in the graph. Use your own knowledge to explain the reasons behind the trend.

2. Hong Kong saw 15 million to 18 million visitors every quarter in 2018. To what extent do you agree that the government’s plans in News can bring the 2024 visitor numbers back to that amount? Explain using News and your own knowledge.

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Issue: Hong Kong needs more ‘international’ face or mascot to boost global profile, experts say

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  The city needs global events such as concerts by US pop star Taylor Swift and British rock band Coldplay to attract overseas visitors

  
  




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  The 50,000-seat stadium Kai Tak Sports Park set to open later this year will be “a game-changer for Hong Kong”

  
  

Hong Kong needs to do more to boost its global profile aside from the 80 mega events lined up for the next six months to bring back tourists, including having an international ambassador or mascot, analysts and industry experts have said.

Economists and lawmakers noted that many of the coming events were trade-related shows and would bring in more much-needed business travellers. However, the list was unoriginal and lacked focus and international appeal.

They said the city still needed global events such as concerts by American pop sensation Taylor Swift and British rock band Coldplay, who skipped the city in favour of Singapore for their Asia tours, partly because of a lack of large-scale venues.

Economist Simon Lee Siu-po said the government needed to find more “international” faces, or even a mascot, to lure global audiences. “Hong Kong needs an international ambassador,” said Lee, honorary fellow at Chinese University’s Asia-Pacific Institute of Business.

He said that having such a figure would serve as a “starting point of attraction” that would entice global brands and audiences to the city when it was struggling to woo international visitors.

Concerts by international stars like Taylor Swift could encourage people to visit Hong Kong, economists say. Photo: AP

While important, Lee noted that trade shows and conferences often catered to “narrow” audiences, whereas musical and sporting events could draw in global crowds and raise the city’s profile.

Allan Zeman, founder of the popular Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district, said the main issue impeding the city’s ability to bring in international acts was a lack of adequate venues, which had turned away “almost all” promoters.

When Taylor Swift performs six shows in Singapore in early March as part of her Eras tour, it will be at the 55,000-capacity National Stadium. Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Arena, by comparison, holds just 14,000.

But Zeman pinned some hope on the long-delayed Kai Tak Sports Park. The centrepiece of the HK$30 billion development is a 50,000-seat stadium that is set to open later this year. “Kai Tak will be a game-changer,” he said.

The government estimates that for every 1.5 million tourists, 0.1 per cent growth in gross domestic product can be generated. The city recorded 34 million tourist arrivals last year, or 65 per cent of pre-Covid levels in 2019.

Staff writers

Question prompts:

1. What ideas have experts suggested to boost tourism in Hong Kong?

(1) introduce an international ambassador and mascot

(2) host more music and sporting events

(3) attract international artists for concerts

(4) build larger event venues

A. (1), (2), (3)

B. (1), (3), (4)

C. (2), (3), (4)

D. All of the above

2. List TWO reasons why the experts quoted in Issue believe the 80 mega events lined up for the next six months are an insufficient way to boost the city’s global profile.

3. To what extent do you agree with economist Simon Lee’s view that an international ambassador or mascot can help lure global audiences to the city? Provide ONE argument for and ONE argument against this statement using News and your own knowledge.

Photo

The Kai Tak Sports Park will be ready to hold events by the end of 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee

Question prompts:

1. Do you recognise the place in the photo? What sets it apart from other existing venues in Hong Kong?

2. Allan Zeman has suggested that the venue will be a “game-changer for Hong Kong” to bring international events. To what extent do you agree with him? Explain using Issue, Glossary, and your own knowledge.

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Glossary

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  conference: an event or meeting in which a particular topic or business is discussed formally

  
  




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  Eras tour: a concert tour by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. According to trade publication Pollstar, the world tour has generated approximately HK$8.1 billion (US$1.04 billion) in gross sales from its first 60 shows. The only two Asian stops on the tour were Tokyo and Singapore.

  
  




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  gross domestic product (GDP): the total of all value added created in an economy. The value added means the value of goods and services produced minus the value of the goods and services needed to make them. Hong Kong’s GDP increased by 0.1 per cent to reach 4.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 compared with the previous three-month period.

  
  




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  Kai Tak Sports Park: a venue expected to open by the end of 2024. Once completed, it will become Hong Kong’s largest sports park, featuring a main stadium capable of holding 50,000 spectators. The park will also include an indoor sports centre with a seating capacity of 10,000, as well as a public sports ground accommodating 5,000 seats.

  
  




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  Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee: set up last year to support the operation and application of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund. The fund, designed to promote international cultural exchanges, will offer subsidies worth HK$60 million each year.

  
  




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  mega event: an event that can drive business in multiple sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, catering and retail, and bring huge economic benefits to Hong Kong.

  
  




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  trade show: an exhibition at which businesses in a particular industry promote their products and services

  
  

The government is trying many different things to encourage people to visit Hong Kong. Photo: Wynna Wong

Sample answers

News
1. Answer: A
2. Sporting occasions/ trade shows/ financial summits (any two)
3. The mega-events can drive business in multiple sectors and contribute to GDP growth. However, these major events may face challenges in terms of seeking government approval for licenses, managing crowds, and arranging traffic. To address these challenges, the government will establish a cross-departmental unit to support event organisers and enhance marketing efforts to raise public awareness.

Graph
1. The total number of visitors in Hong Kong dropped significantly in Q2 of 2020, from around nine million in Q4 of 2019 to less than a million in Q2 of 2022. The number remained low from 2020 to Q4 of 2022. However, in 2023, the city experienced a dramatic increase in total arrivals, with over 10 million visitors in Q3. The drop in visitor numbers from 2020 to 2022 can be attributed to the travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The rise in arrivals could result from reopening borders and lifting social restrictions during Q1 of 2023.
2. I am confident that the government’s plan can bring the city’s visitor numbers back to the pre-Covid amount. By reopening the borders and lifting social restrictions, Hong Kong’s arrival numbers reached 10 million last year. Therefore, with the upcoming 80 major events in the first half of 2024, I believe we can bring even more visitors to the city than in 2023. Just the three mega-events alone could potentially attract at least 600,000 tourists. (accept other reasonable answers)

Issue
1. Answer: D
2. Lack of originality and focus/ insufficient international attraction/catering to narrow audiences (any two)
3. I agree that having an international face or a mascot can help lure global audiences to Hong Kong. They could serve as a representative to promote the city’s attractions and events and attract global brands and visitors. However, it cannot address other significant challenges that affect the city’s global profile, such as visa policies, transport, and infrastructure. (accept other reasonable answers)

Photo
1. Kai Tak Sports Park. It is set to be Hong Kong’s largest sports park, offering 65,000 seats in total.
2. I agree with the suggestion. Compared to neighbouring cities such as Tokyo and Singapore, Hong Kong lacks a large-scale venue to accommodate major international events. Therefore, the new park, with a 50,000-seat capacity, can enhance the city’s competitiveness in attracting global stars to hold concerts or events in Hong Kong, further boosting its reputation and tourism. (accept other reasonable answers)