Citywide night economy campaign gets mixed reactions
The government's new campaign to revive Hong Kong's nightlife has been greeted with mixed reactions, with a thumbs up from a tourism chief but a warning from the arts sector that the effect will be minimal.  Simon Wong, chairman of the Quality Tourism Services Association, described the "Night Vibes Hong Kong" campaign as a step in the right direction, saying he's glad the promotion isn't just about setting up a single night market.   "A successful campaign aims to bring colour back to busy areas like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, rather than just setting up a night market in a remote location. Even if the night market is busy, it won't be a real success if Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui are still lifeless... The plan is on the right track because it will benefit existing businesses," he said.  The chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, Allan Zeman, also expressed hope that the promotion will stimulate spending after the sun goes down.   Zeman told RTHK that habits changed during the pandemic, with fewer people going out for dinner and entertainment in the evening.   "People got used to with Covid going to sleep at nine o'clock. Going home and going to sleep right after having dinner at home," he said. "The economy is very bad in Hong Kong and in general things are difficult and I believe this will really give people a boost. And when people have confidence again, they start spending money."  However, an arts sector representative said the campaign is unlikely to yield long-term gains, and more effort is needed to bring the city back to life.  "Having discounts doesn't really generate the long-term ecological revival of Hong Kong nightlife," said Mathias Woo, co-artistic Director and Executive Director of international experimental theatre company Zuni Icosahedron. "There is a long-term thing that the government really has to do research and tackle. Because compared with Shenzhen, Shanghai and Tokyo, Hong Kong is really lagging behind," he said. "We used to be very dynamic. If you went to Tsim Sha Tsui or Wan Chai, it was full of people after 2am. But now it's dead."