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SCMP Editorial

Rightly or wrongly, Hong Kong is often compared with Shanghai or Singapore in various ways.
From attracting foreign capital and talents to staging mega-concerts and events, the three places are seen as competing against each other.
But while rivalry has become unavoidable on the global stage these days, Hong Kong certainly has its own unique strengths and appeal.
Concerns have been raised as big names such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga bypassed Hong Kong for performances in Singapore and elsewhere.
Separately, Shanghai has no fewer than 178 sporting events and other attractions lined up this year as part of an economic revival strategy similar to that of Hong Kong.
The mainland metropolis staged two concerts by American diva Mariah Carey last week and will welcome renowned singer Katy Perry in November.
With many regional counterparts also proactively promoting the mega-events economy, standing still means losing out. Hong Kong is therefore right in staging more events to stimulate the economy and consolidate its status as Asia’s events capital.
Evidently, no city can monopolise everything. There is more to success than just securing individual shows.
Indeed, many factors are taken into consideration when it comes to staging a performance, be it an exclusive show or part of a world tour.
Hong Kong’s reputation as a world city is built on its unique strengths and characteristics. Instead of envying or emulating what others get, the city should strive to offer what it can do best.
Over the years, we have successfully staged a number of signature sport events, including the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.
What sets us further apart is the “one country, two systems” principle, with the city continuing to roll out the red carpet for top foreign performers despite occasional tensions between mainland China and other countries.
Visa-free access for many foreign nationals means our mega-events remain accessible to visitors both near and far.
The opening of Kai Tak Sports Park is set to consolidate our position in the events calendar, attracting British rock band Coldplay, South Korean girl group Blackpink and other regional superstars.
But there also needs to be a concerted effort to enhance the local infrastructure and capacity for visitors.
Authorities apparently underestimated the impact on border crossings the weekend before last when the holding of several popular concerts resulted in crowds struggling to return to the mainland after midnight.
We trust the government will learn from this and strive to improve the experience of cross-border concertgoers and others. At stake is not only the Hong Kong mega-event brand, but also the city’s image as a visitor-friendly city.


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Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong has to improve experience of visitors as events list grows

Lisa of Blackpink performs at the Coachella music festival. The band are set to play in Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park. File photo: Getty Images

What can Hong Kong learn from Shanghai’s aggressive mega-event strategy?

Shanghai hosted two concerts by American diva Mariah Carey last week. Photo: Getty Images

Shanghai has six venues that can host more than 10,000 people, double the number in Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua via AP

Betty Fung, the CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, has said Shanghai is a partner rather than a competitor of Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Data published by the Immigration Department shows that 139,585 visitors from the mainland arrived in the city on Saturday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Photo time at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Photo: Eugene Lee

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A view of the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 24. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong should become a stage for green mega-events

Water bottles are left outside Kai Tak Stadium on January 5. Can Hong Kong balance economic gain with environmental responsibility and utilise mega-events as a catalyst for green transformation? Photo: Sam Tsang


People attend Art Basel Hong Kong at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 26. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Hong Kong Sevens promoted reusable cups at Hong Kong Stadium in 2019. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Opinion

As Hong Kong consolidates its place in the sporting and entertainment calendar, it must be prepared for the crowds to come


As Hong Kong consolidates its place in the sporting and entertainment calendar, it must be prepared for the crowds to come.


Shanghai

Singapore

Hong Kong

Mariah Carey

Katy Perry

Hong Kong economy

Blackpink

Hong Kong tourism

Tourism

Kai Tak Sports Park

Hong Kong Sevens

Music

Hong Kong society

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

Hong Kong has to improve experience of visitors as events list grows

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As Hong Kong consolidates its place in the sporting and entertainment calendar, it must be prepared for the crowds to come

As Hong Kong consolidates its place in the sporting and entertainment calendar, it must be prepared for the crowds to come