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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Diners fear weak traffic
Restaurants are expecting only HK$280 million in business for the Mid-Autumn Festival this week, 20 percent less than that last year, amid a rebound in Covid infections and poor economic environment in the first half.
The president of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, Simon Wong Ka-wo, said most families prefer to celebrate at home, particularly after authorities last month introduced a rapid test requirement for diners at tables of eight.
"The main reason is still the pandemic situation, as it became serious recently and the number of Covid cases remains over 10,000 every day," Wong said.
"Those banquet diners, at tables of eight or more, are willing to do the rapid tests, and I think that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will check more frequently during the Mid-Autumn Festival," he said.
He added that the impact of the HK$2,000 consumption vouchers issued in August is unlikely to continue to the festival, while many people would prefer to spend the vouchers on daily necessities.
Cafe de Coral Group chief executive Peter Lo Tak-shing said after the group's annual meeting yesterday that restaurants' businesses have slightly dropped from last year.
He said the group's sales in mooncakes achieved the sales targets.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is holding Mid-Autumn lantern displays until Monday at Victoria Park, Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park and Tai Po Waterfront Park.
A lighting installation, "Hugs without Distance," at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Plaza will run until September 25.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival, organized by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, will be held from today to Monday at AsiaWorld-Expo.
MTR Corp is not providing overnight services for the Mid-Autumn Festival for the fourth consecutive year but will increase train frequencies tomorrow.
All MTR lines will maintain normal service hours on the day of the festival, while train frequencies on the Island, Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong lines will be enhanced on Saturday night.
"The main reason is still the pandemic situation, as it became serious recently and the number of Covid cases remains over 10,000 every day," Wong said.
"Those banquet diners, at tables of eight or more, are willing to do the rapid tests, and I think that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will check more frequently during the Mid-Autumn Festival," he said.
He added that the impact of the HK$2,000 consumption vouchers issued in August is unlikely to continue to the festival, while many people would prefer to spend the vouchers on daily necessities.
Cafe de Coral Group chief executive Peter Lo Tak-shing said after the group's annual meeting yesterday that restaurants' businesses have slightly dropped from last year.
He said the group's sales in mooncakes achieved the sales targets.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is holding Mid-Autumn lantern displays until Monday at Victoria Park, Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park and Tai Po Waterfront Park.
A lighting installation, "Hugs without Distance," at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Plaza will run until September 25.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Festival, organized by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, will be held from today to Monday at AsiaWorld-Expo.
MTR Corp is not providing overnight services for the Mid-Autumn Festival for the fourth consecutive year but will increase train frequencies tomorrow.
All MTR lines will maintain normal service hours on the day of the festival, while train frequencies on the Island, Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong lines will be enhanced on Saturday night.
