Hui Yau-to, 51, is confident that the Harbour Fest will resuscitate Hong Kong's tourism industry. Ride from Hang Hau to Quarry Bay. Cost: $143
There has been a lot of unfair criticism regarding the government spending $80 million to sponsor the upcoming Harbour Fest. I don't understand why the public and even some legislators are knocking the idea. I think Hong Kong should think long-term and we should definitely set our goals high. If we want to promote Hong Kong, there is really no point doing a wishy-washy job, making only half-hearted efforts. If we want to achieve earth-shattering results, we need to make a huge investment.
Hong Kong needs to get back into the international arena to tell the world that we are back in business. If the world doesn't come to us, we will need to bring ourselves to the world. Hosting international sport and music events are some of the best ways to draw international attention. I think the Real Madrid success gives the government a pretty strong case that its post-Sars revival efforts are working. All in all, Hong Kong only had to spend less than $1 million and look at all the publicity we got out of that superstar football game.
I think a lot of critics are terribly short-sighted as they tend to look inwardly and locally, and not plan too far ahead. They suggest that the money be put into welfare and elderly services rather than spending it on entertainment promotional events. How wrong can they be? This is not just entertainment, it is about injecting a sense of positiveness and confidence back into Hong Kong and putting the city back on the world map. But of course these critics don't see any benefits unless they are directly benefited.
Confidence is what Hong Kong lacks at the moment. Without confidence, our economy will not move forward. Without confidence, this city will be dead.
Cabbies certainly bear the brunt of the recession. We thought we had hit the bottom of the pit last year until we saw Sars. Now when things are starting to look brighter and better with so many big international stars willing to come to Hong Kong, we are saying it is a waste of time. I think they are wasting Hong Kong's chance to make a comeback.
