Home and Youth Affairs Bureau: 'Happy Hong Kong' campaign on fast track

Hong Kong authorities have revealed details about the “Happy Hong Kong” campaign, which was introduced in the latest Budget 2023.

Taking charge of the execution of the campaign, Alice Mak, secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Bureau said in a press conference on Thursday that the bureau will take the lead on hosting food fairs across districts in Hong Kong, a sea-land summer carnival and setting up large-scale weekend markets.

Mak also said authorities have reserved HK$200 million for the range of events, and she expected the campaign will be fast-tracked as the food fairs should be ready as soon as possible to align with the first round of HK$3,000 consumption vouchers, which will be distributed in April to help encourage local consumption and boost the economy.

Mak also said the weekend markets will involve more younger generations, to allow youths to gain experiences in operating their businesses at the markets.  

Furthermore, organisations such as the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will each hold themed fairs, carnivals, or other activities this year.

When asked whether the bureau would set up key performance indicator (KPI) for the campaign, Mak said happiness is hard to quantify and measure, so it is hard to set up KPI for the campaign.

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The "Happy Hong Kong" campaign, includes launching a "Gourmet Marketplace", under which large‑scale food fairs will be organised in various locations across the territory in the coming months, bringing together Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gourmet food, with a view to enabling the public and visitors enjoy the good food in the city.

The initiative aims to provide the public opportunities to share happy moments together and stimulate local consumption and boost our economy. Another highlight is the organisation of a large‑scale sea‑land carnival by the HKTB in summer, with Victoria Harbour as the stage. Apart from a wide range of dancing, music and street performances presented by performing groups from around the world, a brand new lighting show will also be staged to offer a new experience to the public and visitors while they are enjoying the spectacular view of the harbour.

This comes following the recent launch of global promotional campaign "Hello Hong Kong", which aimed to showcase and promote the city's new bright economic prospects, new cultural vision and new travel experience. Hong Kong will give away 500,000 free air tickets and city-wide offers to overseas visitors and 80,000 to HongKongers. The giveaway will start from March to SEA tourists, mainland China and other regions will come next. 

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