Hong Kong budget 2024-25: will city get back tourism spark from fireworks, drone shows? Experts question reported multimillion dollar plan

Chan is expected to announce measures to boost government income, cut expenditure and develop new industries, carrying out one of his most difficult balancing acts so far.

With the fourth deficit in five years being estimated to be more than HK$100 billion (US$12.8 billion), Chan will reveal plans to issue more retail bonds totalling at least HK$70 billion, covering green bonds, silver bonds and those used to finance infrastructure, according to a source familiar with the policies.

The Post has also reported that he will tap into the US trillion-dollar clean energy market by setting up a regional green fuel bunkering centre, with financial incentives and infrastructure being offered to vessel owners and the maritime industry. He is also expected to accelerate green finance developments through the hosting of an international climate financing summit with Dubai’s monetary authority in the autumn.

The source said that on the tourism front, highlights would include the monthly fireworks and drone shows at Victoria Harbour, as well as a redesign of the nightly multimedia show, “A Symphony of Light”. More alfresco dining and retail elements would also be added at the waterfront.

But Leung said she was unconvinced by the proposal.

“I believe monthly fireworks shows will not be able to replicate the impact of the fireworks show on the second day of the Lunar New Year. I also believe that tourists will not specifically travel to Hong Kong just to witness it,” she said.

In February, 338,000 people gathered on both sides of Victoria Harbour to watch the city’s first Lunar New Year fireworks display since 2019, where a total of 23,888 fireworks were launched with a budget of about HK$13 million.

“Fireworks displays are very costly, which can lead to high investment with low return. Authorities should consider allocating resources to support local small businesses in food and beverages instead,” Leung said, adding that she believed reviving unique attractions such as typhoon shelter-style night markets would be more effective.

Tourism scholar Dennis Wong Ka-wing also said the fireworks and drone shows alone would not woo visitors, but they could help to enhance the appeal of certain attractions and add an extra element of excitement.

“These shows may not be as common for tourists from Europe, America or Southeast Asia, [so they can] provide a fresh and exciting experience for them,” said Wong, who is also a project manager for the Vocational Training Council, on the same show.

“The cost of fireworks is significantly higher compared with drone shows. It is important to ensure that the shows are of high quality,” he said. “You need to incorporate different themes to make visitors feel that coming to Hong Kong to watch these shows is truly worthwhile.”

He stressed that the design and scale should also be noticeably different from the shows taking place during National Day and Lunar New Year, which would ensure they would not be easily replaced.

Wong also pointed out that the city’s daily 10-minute light show needed to be redesigned by combining lighting and drone elements.

Lawmaker Kitson Yang Wing-kit said tourists might not specifically visit the city just to watch fireworks displays and urged for a revamp to the light show, which has been running for two decades and was last overhauled in 2017.

Free ice cream, tram and Star Ferry trips for Hong Kong’s ‘Art March’

“If the government and the tourism industry offer bundled ticket promotions that include discounts for dining, hotels and other attractions, it could attract tourists to stay overnight in Hong Kong,” Yang said.

He said current efforts by the authorities to promote major events were still insufficient.

“The coming ‘Art March’ series of activities only got large-scale promotion towards the end of February, making it difficult for tourists to plan their itineraries. The government needs to provide a fixed schedule when arranging events for visitors to plan ahead,” he said.

Regarding adding vibrancy to the waterfront, lawmaker Andrew Lam Siu-lo said he believed it was not difficult to accomplish but changing residents’ perceptions might be challenging.

“Hong Kong society as a whole has a slight obsession with ‘cleanliness’ when it comes to the design and use of the waterfront. There is a persistent belief that certain commercial activities should not tarnish its image, which often hinders the implementation of good designs,” Lam said.

“The former piers used to serve as transport hubs, primarily for ferries, but their role has gradually diminished. They have the potential to be transformed into vibrant tourist destinations, offering various entertainment options and serving as departure points for boat trips. These opportunities could truly make use of Victoria Harbour.”