'Citywide campaign needed to spice up HK's nightlife'
A restaurant representative on Monday said the government can play a bigger role in spicing up Hong Kong’s nightlife by bringing in more after-dark activities like concerts, exhibitions and night markets. Simon Wong, head of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, made the comment after Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the administration will work on boosting the tourism industry and reviving the city’s night-time economy.  Authorities announced last week that the SAR received about 3.6 million travellers in July, up more than 30 percent from the month before but around 1.8 million fewer than the same period in 2018. Wong told RTHK that restaurants are bearing the brunt of a sluggish tourism recovery, coupled with a spike in the number of locals heading north to spend their weekends.  "A lot of restaurants close after 10pm, and even before 9pm some restaurants have already started to take last orders," he said. “The most important thing is we need people staying and spending in Hong Kong rather than going to Shenzhen or [other places] across the border." The restaurateur said a territory-wide campaign is needed to promote the city’s nightlife.  "There can be a lot of things to do. We can involve more cultural things, sports, and night markets." The associate dean of the Polytechnic University's tourism management school, Haiyan Song, agrees that authorities need to breathe new life into Hong Kong’s night-time economy by bringing in more “fun activities” to attract younger visitors. “Night economy would certainly help improve the experience of international tourists,” he said.