Labour Day pyrotechnic show at risk of cancellation due to rain

Tourists visiting Hong Kong on 1 May should be prepared as the scheduled Labour Day pyrotechnic display could potentially be impacted by the weather, said Hong Kong’s tourism chief Kevin Yeung.

It comes as Hong Kong has recently experienced rain and strong thunderstorms, with the Hong Kong Observatory forecasting frequent showers on 1 May. 

Yeung said yesterday (28 April) that the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) may only be possible to officially determine if there will be any impact on 1 May in the afternoon. “The weather is unpredictable, especially when it comes to rainfall, and we can only have a clearer picture closer to the date. We kindly ask visitors to Hong Kong to be prepared for the possibility of changes due to weather conditions,” he added.

Hong Kong's first pyrotechnic display is expected to make its debut on 1 May, welcoming the Labour Day Golden Week and enhancing visitors’ experience in the city. It is part of the Hong Kong government's HK$1.1 billion investment to enhance the Hong Kong brand.

The HKTB will present a 10-minute pyrotechnic display at 8 p.m. over Victoria Harbour near Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. It will be fired at about 130m from the shore and shoot up to a maximum of approximately 100m, with different patterns such as a happy face and initials “HK” will brightening up the evening sky.

Meanwhile, Yeung said the government has utilised Hong Kong various attractions to encourage travellers to stay longer and welcome them to stayover in Hong Kong. "We have received positive feedback from the hotel industry regarding room bookings during the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday. Overall, I believe the 'golden week' will contribute to boosting business in Hong Kong," he added. 

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Apart from launching pyrotechnic display, the HKTB has also launched a dedicated “one-stop webpage for golden week offers and activities” to promote shopping, dining, attractions and hotel offers for visitors and locals with information on traffic arrangements, opening hours of major attractions.

The “Yau Tsim Mong Shopping Festival” initiated by the Yau Tsim Mong District Office and District Council will also start on 1 May. Edward Yu, district officer (Yau Tsim Mong), said, “The shopping festival this year gathers about 2,200 outlets of 110 brands, especially malls, hotels, restaurants and retail stores in Tsim Sha Tsui (including East Tsim Sha Tsui) and Mongkok, providing different time-limited offers. Taking place simultaneously with the pyrotechnic display, the festival will create a synergetic effect in enriching the experience of both locals and visitors and stimulating positive spending sentiment in town.”

To encourage visitors to plan their trip to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week in advance, HKTB has partnered with online travel agents in mainland and promote new ways to explore Hong Kong during the Golden Week, such as City Walk, immersive green tourism and nightlife and major city happenings in April and May through travel tips and eCommerce livestreaming, driving sales of relevant tourism products.

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