‘Hometown flavours’ on menu at popular Hong Kong shopping festival

A popular annual Hong Kong shopping festival being held next month will introduce a special zone featuring specialties from 10 mainland Chinese provinces and cities, with organisers also aiming to lure more tourists from across the border.

The fifth edition of the Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival, which will be held from August 1 to 4 at Asia World-Expo, will include a limited supply of products such as sesame paste and Chinese sausage being sold for HK$1 (US$0.13) each day.

The fair organiser, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association, said on Thursday that it expected the four-day event to draw 60,000 visitors and generate sales of about HK$60 million (US$7.6 million), similar to last year.

“A key highlight is the new hometown flavours zone featuring authentic specialties and cultural elements from 10 mainland provinces and cities,” association president Wingco Lo Kam-wing said.

“This allows visitors to experience China’s diverse culinary traditions in one venue while showcasing Hong Kong’s role as a strategic gateway for mainland enterprises going global.”

Around 300 booths will be spread across eight thematic zones, two more than last year. The exhibition will also introduce the Lai Yuen Playground Zone, which will offer amusement facilities and recreate beloved landmarks from the Lai Yuen Amusement Park which closed down in 1997.