The 2021 Food Expo, with around 900 participating exhibitors, will open tomorrow until August 16.

Some exhibitors expected that businesses will fall by around 20 percent as the no-tasting rule will affect people's mood on making purchases. They believed that the consumption vouchers won't be able to boost business as they guessed citizens have probably spent most of the amount of the vouchers.

They will offer massive discounts, like letting visitors to buy a durian mooncake and assorted dried seafood at the cost of HK$1. Other discounts that would be available include buying a fresh abalone after spending HK$100 on shopping, also at the cost of HK$1.

Exhibitors that sell wines and alcohols also expected business will drop by 20 to 30 percent as people are not allowed to taste the wines first. Yet they pointed out that there would be a greater fall if not for the consumption vouchers.

Some exhibitors on the other hand hoped the vouchers would encourage citizens to buy more. Some of them will also offer food products in transparent packaging, allowing visitors to have a better look at the food products.

Others expected around 20 percent increase, referring to the World of Snacks exhibition held earlier, which received good response as well.

The expo would include a public hall, the Wine and Spirit Fair, the Tea Fair, the Home Delights Expo and the Beauty and Wellness Expo. There would also be a Gourmet Zone, which would open from August 12 to 15.

The admission fee for the above exhibitions, excluding the Gourmet Zone, would be HK$25. Children aged three or below and elderly aged 65 or above can enjoy free admission.

Visitors would be required to pay for admission by Octopus at the hall entrances. Tickets are now also available at all Hong Kong Ticketing outlets, as well as convenience stores and the Octopus app.

Organizer Hong Kong Trade Development Council will also offer free admission to 30,000 citizens who have received at least one dose of Covid vaccine.