Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced that the government will launch Happy Hong Kong, a campaign to give residents the chance to experience new activities such as a carnival at Victoria Harbour and gourmet marketplaces around the city this year. The other events planned include themed fairs and carnivals at attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong.
What is Happy Hong Kong?
Speaking while unveiling the 2023-2024 budget on Wednesday, Chan said, “[Happy Hong Kong] will focus on activities related to gourmet experiences, fun amusements and exciting ambience. Apart from providing members of the public with more diverse choices of fun and interesting activities in Hong Kong, it will also help stimulate local consumption and boost our economy.”
What are the Happy Hong Kong events?
- Gourmet Marketplace: A series of large-scale food fairs held across the SAR that will bring together Mainland, Hong Kong, and overseas gourmet food.
- Sea-land carnival: A summer event at Victoria Harbour that will feature a new lighting show, as well as dance, music, and street performances by acts from around the world.
- Themed fairs: Several of the city’s attractions and cultural hotspots, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, will conduct themed fairs, carnivals and other activities in 2023.
Happy Hong Kong is the latest in a series of campaigns that aim to welcome tourists back to the city and encourage residents to visit local attractions, restaurants, and nightlife venues.’
Earlier this month, Chief Executive John Lee unveiled Hello Hong Kong, an initiative that gives travellers the chance to win free 500,000 airline tickets to the city, as well as vouchers and gifts that they can spend once they arrive here. While announcing the budget, Chan also revealed that all eligible Hong Kong permanent residents and new arrivals aged 18 and above will get digital consumption vouchers worth HK$5,000 this year.
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