Hong Kong's H2 mega-events expected to draw 1.85 mln visitors: financial secretary

HONG KONG, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The more than 100 mega events slated for the second half of this year are expected to attract over 1.85 million visitors to Hong Kong, Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, wrote in his blog on Sunday.

Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and others could create a total sales value of 5.9 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 752 million U.S. dollars) in H2, said Chan.

Mega-events and bustling art and culture scenes have helped boost consumption, with Hong Kong's total retail sales up 9.6 percent in H1, said Chan.

Three soccer games between some of Europe's top clubs, held at the Kai Tak Sports Park a few days earlier, generated more than 180 million Hong Kong dollars, and boosted business at nearby restaurants, Chan noted.

Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum have also seen a marked increase in revenue. An exhibition on ancient Egyptian civilization from last November to August has generated more than 30 million Hong Kong dollars in merchandise sales for the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

When Hong Kong hosts the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting in October, the world will get a deeper appreciation of its appeal as an international financial center and a premier host for dazzling mega-events, said the financial secretary. Enditem