Luisa Tam

My Hong Kong | Less is more when it comes to Hong Kong staging ‘mega events’

Overstuffing the calendar with ‘mega events’ to draw tourists to Hong Kong risks inducing the same kind of fatigue overstuffed buffet diners feel

European countries don’t stage ‘mega events’ to draw visitors; their ‘meganess’ is found in their landscapes, people and culture. There’s a lesson there

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Visitors admire artworks at Art Basel, Asia’s biggest art fair, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai in March 2024, an example of a successful major event already being staged. Photo: Eugene Lee

Luisa Tam

Published: 8:15am, 25 May 2024Updated: 8:01am, 27 May 2024

Corrected [8:00am, 27 May, 2024]

[8:00am, 27 May, 2024]
This column was published before it emerged the Kowloon Walled City film sets had been destroyed, and has been updated to reflect this development.

With the announcement this week by the Hong Kong government of the schedule for 106 upcoming mega events in the latter half of the year, one immediate observation is the attempt to cater to every possible interest simultaneously.

The roster includes a diverse range of offerings: 42 exhibitions, 15 sports competitions, 25 cultural showcases, 11 festivals, and 13 events focusing on finance, technology, and innovation.

Critics and members of the public have voiced concerns, some labelling the initiative excessive or overwhelming, and suggested that an abundance of mega events could diminish their appeal.

The question arises: are we overdoing it? It’s a possibility. But given that this is the inaugural year for such an extensive line-up, their true impact will only be known once they have been staged.

Tourists mimic a gesture of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui during the recent “golden week” holiday in mainland China. Photo: Jelly Tse

One potential risk is the onset of “mega event fatigue” among both Hong Kong residents and visitors.