The term 'night economy' has recently become a hot topic in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong SAR government hopes to revitalize and prosper the night market in the short term, consolidate the economic recovery after the "customs clearance", and attract politicians, businessmen, and scholars to provide suggestions for the "night economy". In fact, Hong Kong has always been known as the "city that never sleeps", and in the 1950s and 1960s, there was already a large area in Sheung Wan known as the "Civic Nightclub" for citizens to relax at night. Before the epidemic, many shops and restaurants remained open for a long time until 3 or 4 a.m., allowing people who worked at night to enjoy a late night snack. However, a pandemic has broken the tradition, and the only shops that are still open late at night are probably convenience stores. It is reported that the SAR government advocates the business community to extend the business hours of shopping malls to midnight, hold an international beer festival and night market in the Central Market, and hold night activities at the seaside. The "night economy" activity will start at the end of September at the earliest, around the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. Multiple developers have responded to media inquiries and stated that they will actively consider extending the operating hours of their shopping malls, organizing night events to attract crowds, and launching shopping vouchers to encourage consumption. The West Kowloon Cultural District Management Bureau also stated that it will study providing cultural performance programs at night, coordinating with catering facilities, enhancing the vitality of West Kowloon at night, and attracting citizens and tourists. The Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Industry Association, Qian Junyong, predicts that revitalizing the night market can drive 20% of the bar industry's business growth. The association will also hold bar culture and other activities, and introduce discounts to attract tourists and promote Hong Kong bar culture. Zhu Jiajian, a Hong Kong member and current affairs commentator of the National Association for Hong Kong and Macao Studies, wrote that various sectors need to first define what "night economy" is, whether it is night shopping, trade fairs and flower markets carnival models, or nightclub entertainment. The most important thing is to attract citizens and tourists while creating a new consumer lifestyle group, and not compete with restaurants and merchants that pay rent with real money. Zhu Jiajian told China News Agency reporters that Hong Kong's "night economy" needs to be upscale, otherwise it will make people feel that Hong Kong's image has fallen and solidified this impression. He suggested replicating the former Tai Tai Tai Land in Sheung Wan on Temple Street, or creating a night market economy in the Central Market and surrounding areas, as well as in famous shopping streets such as Bai De Xin Street and Tung Kok Road in Causeway Bay, as well as in the shopping communities from Lee Tung Street to Admiralty in Wan Chai. He believes that the night market economy helps increase interpersonal connections. In the face of weak external demand, the tourism industry and private consumption in Hong Kong will remain the main driving forces for economic growth for the rest of this year. In the context of the booming night markets in neighboring areas, various sectors in Hong Kong hope that the "night economy" can stimulate consumption growth. Several Legislative Council members have proposed to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, to create a Hong Kong style night market culture, reference the mainland model, relax restrictions on hawker management, noise, and hygiene, and consider organizing night markets and street performances in the West Kowloon Cultural District and seaside locations, shaping a new hot spot for check-in in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Legislative Council member Chen Peiliang told China News Agency that the original intention of the SAR government is positive, but mainland night markets are voluntary and rely on government departments to promote. Therefore, it is necessary to consider from the perspective of consumers and suggest conducting research with local businesses and citizens. However, the retail industry points out that businesses are currently facing a shortage of manpower
Edit：XiaoWanNing Responsible editor：YingLing
Source：China News Network
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email：lwxsd@liaowanghn.com
Greater Bay Area
Recommended Reading Change it 
Home
