Why Hong Kong’s mega events seem so small and how to bring back the ‘wow’ factor
How did a few oversized balloons become something to brag about? The Post talks to experts about what’s needed to make the ‘mega event economy’ work
On a recent Sunday in Hong Kong, a corner of the harbourfront in Central was bustling with people dancing to music as they sipped European wines and laughed, lights twinkling overhead and the smoky aroma of grilled fish filling the air.
They were attending the city’s first Sardine Festival, a celebration of Portuguese cuisine and culture, which organisers said attracted more than 6,000 people who ate and drank their way through more than 5,000 sardines, 2,000 bottles of wine, 7,000 beers and a “substantial quantity” of meat and soup.
“We remain committed to bringing major events to Hong Kong, with plans for three significant events in 2025,” said Peter Halhanko, team leader at Lemon Three Sports and Entertainment Management, the company behind the event.
While pleased with the result, the company said negotiating with government officials for permission to hold the event was more difficult than anticipated.
The Tourism Board was helpful, but other departments did not always share its vision, according to the company’s marketing manager Cristina Salavarria.
“The Tourism Board wants one thing, but another department wants another thing. So they are not together,” she said. “It’s very difficult to deal with some people inside the government.”
Such a lack of communication among officials responsible for managing public events is worrying for a city that has lately bet big on a string of mega events to help fuel growth and attract new tourists, experts and organisers said.
