Mega events have their place but Hong Kong needs more ‘international’ face or mascot to boost global profile, experts say
- Hong Kong still needs global events such as concerts by US pop star Taylor Swift and British rock band Coldplay to attract overseas visitors, experts say
- Trade shows and conferences, while important, often cater to ‘narrow’ audiences, economist says
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 on Friday noted that while many of the coming events were trade-related shows and would bring in more much-needed business travellers, 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.
British rock legend Rod Stewart, 79, will perform in Hong Kong on March 11 as part of his “Live in Concert, One Last Time” tour.
Economist Simon Lee Siu-po said the government needed to find more “international” faces, or even a mascot, to lure global audiences back to the city.
“Hong Kong needs an international ambassador,” said Lee, honorary fellow at Chinese University’s Asia-Pacific Institute of Business.
Having such a figure would serve as a “starting point of attraction” that would entice global brands and audiences to the city at a time when it was struggling to woo international visitors, he said.