The updated list of mega events taking place between July and December features 42 large-scale conferences, 25 artistic and creative activities, 15 sports competitions, 13 functions related to finance, the economy and the innovation and technology sector, and 11 festive events.
Including those that had already taken place, more than 210 mega events would be held by the end of the year. The activities were expected to attract 1.7 million tourists, stimulate spending of HK$7.2 billion (US$92.3 million) and add HK$4.3 billion to the economy.
But business magnate Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, called the new shows “little events” and said the city needed “large-scale” ones to attract international visitors.
“The 15 new events are OK. But I don’t think they’re going to bring so many people from overseas,” he said.
“Hong Kong needs some bigger, really mega events to make a noise on the international stage, including [in mainland] China … and to really…