Both were visiting for the first time, and had come especially for the hotly anticipated Sevens, but would also “enjoy life in Hong Kong, go sightseeing and explore the city”, Samoave said.

“I can’t even explain, it’s awesome,” added Weleilakeba, when asked about her thoughts on Hong Kong so far.

They also said they looked forward to rooting for their country’s team, perennial favourites at the Hong Kong Sevens.

This edition of the rugby extravaganza, which runs until Sunday, is expected to be the final one at Hong Kong Stadium, the venue for the Sevens since 1982. Next year, it is set to move across Victoria Harbour to a new home at the newly built Kai Tak Sports Park.

Andre Ballard, who lived in Hong Kong from 1997 to 2006 but now works in Saudi Arabia, said he did not expect the Sevens to be the same after the move.

“I worked on a construction project here at Kai Tak. It’s in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “Maybe it’ll still be a good thing, but we’ll miss the old venue.”

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The Briton had returned to the city for the first time since the pandemic to watch the Sevens and visit friends.

“I haven’t had an excuse to come back for a long time, so this was an excuse.”

The Sevens tournament is one of about 80 mega events in the first half of the year that the government is counting on to boost the economy as the post-pandemic recovery in tourism remains slower than expected.

Australian couple Jane and Brandon Carter, both in their forties, said they would be spending about HK$20,000 (US$2,550) on their four-day trip to the city, including a hotel stay on Hong Kong Island.

“It’s not cheap to travel here,” Brandon Carter said. “But my wife is with me for the games, so I need to return the favour … happy wife, happy life.”

Meanwhile, bar operators were also celebrating the uptick in business, but said there was still a sharp contrast compared with before the pandemic struck.

Chrissy Lam, an employee at Joe Bananas bar on Luard Road, said she recognised customers who were returning after five or six years, and expected an extra 20 per cent in business over the weekend.

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“It’s nice to see people back, but back in 2019 and before, our bar would already be overflowing with people a week ahead of the games. We didn’t see that this year,” she said.

Marvin Cometa, manager at the nearby Centre Point bar, was optimistic business would rise by as much as 30 per cent because of the Sevens.

His bar had come up with offers, including a HK$180 “tumbler” of beer, in anticipation of the event.

The tournament will see teams from 12 countries in both the men’s and women’s categories vie to be Hong Kong Sevens champions.

The Canadian and Japanese women kick off the tournament at 10.30am on Friday, with the heavyweight men’s duo of France and Australia starting the day’s last match at 8.56pm.

Gates open at 7.30am on Friday. On Saturday, fans can enter the stadium from 7am, ahead of a 9.30am start. Fans are allowed in from 8am on Sunday, with the first match beginning at 9.40am.

In both the men’s and women’s events, New Zealand are the defending champions.

Hong Kong’s women and men both play China on the opening day, at 6.22pm and 7.24pm, respectively in a new Melrose Claymores competition that is running as part of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.