Hong Kong is preparing to host a fireworks display along Kowloon’s waterfront next month to kick off mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday. Following this, a drone show will take place in Wan Chai ten days later.
To attract more visitors from mainland China, promotional efforts are being intensified. Dane Cheng Ting-yat, the executive director of the Tourism Board, announced that pyrotechnic displays and drone shows will become regular features during the city’s festivals and major events starting from May.
These events will complement the renowned “Symphony of Lights” multimedia show, complete with music, held daily along Victoria Harbour.
An earlier rendition of the Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour can be seen in the photo by Dickson Lee.
“The Labour Day golden week is a peak travel season for mainland tourists,” Cheng stated. “The Tourism Board is seizing this opportunity to enhance promotions on the mainland and introduce pyrotechnic and drone performances with various themes to elevate visitors’ experiences in the city, adding an extra touch of excitement to their trip.”
The first fireworks display is scheduled for 8 pm on May 1 at the East Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in Kowloon, marking the beginning of the mainland’s golden week, which will witness an influx of tourists from across the border to Hong Kong for the five-day break. Subsequently, the city’s inaugural drone show of the year will take place on May 11 at the Wan Chai temporary promenade.
In an effort to revive Hong Kong’s tourism industry, the city is expected to welcome approximately 70% of pre-pandemic visitor levels by the end of 2024.
Additional drone shows are planned for June 10 and a fireworks display on June 15 at the Wan Chai promenade to enhance the celebrations of the Dragon Boat Festival and complement traditional Victoria Harbour festivities like Buddha’s Birthday, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, and the Tam Kung Festival.
Cheng encouraged trade partners such as bars and restaurants to leverage these events by offering special products and promotions, such as pyrotechnic-view dinners, to attract customers.
While Cheng acknowledged that the shows alone may not draw a significant number of tourists, he emphasized that they would enhance the overall ambiance of Hong Kong and enrich the experience for those already in the city.
To promote the city’s hospitality sector, the Tourism Board, in collaboration with various government departments, will launch a large-scale campaign next month. This initiative was announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in his February budget, aiming to create more captivating moments for visitors.