Hong Kong officials ‘could have provided better guidance to failed balloon event’
Lawmakers Doreen Kong, Michael Tien say government should be more proactive when dealing with high-risk or special events
Hong Kong authorities could have provided better guidance to the organiser of a HK$30 million (US$3.85 million) botched hot-air balloon festival, lawmakers have said, even as the government stressed it had already offered professional advice.
Lawmakers Doreen Kong Yuk-foon and Michael Tien Puk-sun said on Monday that the government should be more proactive when dealing with high-risk or special events and could conduct reviews for activities held in public venues.
“I hope the government can provide clearer guidelines to event organisers, particularly on how to handle emergency situations and how to communicate effectively with consumers,” Kong told a radio programme.
She later told the Post that the government should have provided strategic advice from the start, and needed to help other organisers, especially those handling high-risk or unique events, to avoid unfeasible plans and facilitate administrative work such as licence applications.
The lawmakers made the call amid widespread public criticism over the failure of the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which took place at Central Harbourfront from September 4 to 7.
At the centre of the row was that the advertised tethered balloon rides were unavailable due to the lack of a licence and unsuitable weather.