HKers get a treat on SAR anniversary
Discounts of up to 29 percent are available at more than 3,800 eateries around town. Photo: RTHK
Hongkongers have been enjoying discounts and freebies that are on offer on the 28th anniversary of the SAR.
On Tuesday, more than 3,800 restaurants rolled out discounts of up to 29 percent, and for some eateries, the campaign will last for an entire week.
At lunch time, there were queues at a local chain restaurant taking part in the campaign.
A customer surnamed Lee said he was here because of the cheaper meals.
"Because they have a discount for the celebration... If you don't have the discount, I will go away, I won't queue up here," he said.
But Dyujoy did not learn about the offer until an RTHK reporter told him about it.
"I didn't know about this discount... so it would be better if it's more advertised, so that we know that there's a discount going on."
The number of establishments joining the scheme was up from about 2,000 a year ago.
Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said he hopes discounts offered by restaurants would boost revenue by about 10 percent.
"Due to the effect of last year's July 1 campaign, more restaurants have joined this year.
"We also see an increase in people flow in malls, and they are also spending more in restaurants."
As for public transport, several ferry services are free, as are tram rides.
Foreign domestic helper Elma said she usually takes the train to go from Central to Causeway Bay, but this time she opted for the tram instead.
"[The] more faster [option] is the MTR. But now that the tram is free, I take the tram going here."
The MTR Corporation, for its part, is giving away 71,000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw.
Many people also flocked to museums across the city, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which offer free admission, along with various indoor and outdoor facilities operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department that are available free of charge.
Attractions such as Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360 have also rolled out ticket discounts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
HKFP
2 hours ago
- HKFP
In Pictures: Hong Kong celebrates 28th Handover anniversary
Hong Kong celebrated the 28th anniversary of the city's return from British colonial rule to China on Tuesday, with the food and beverage sector offering July 1 promotions and discounts to mark the Handover. About 4,100 restaurants and shops participated in offering customers discounts, according to the government. Restaurant chains like Tai Hing Group offered a 29 per cent discount on all dine-in meals, meaning customers only needed to pay 71 per cent of their bills. Four senior government officials, led by Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, had dim sum at a Chinese restaurant in Wan Chai on Tuesday morning and enjoyed the discount after attending the annual flag-raising ceremony and reception for the Handover, the government said in a press release. In a speech delivered during the reception, Chief Executive John Lee said national security would safeguard Hong Kong's development amid global uncertainty. 'High-level security will safeguard high-quality development,' Lee said in Cantonese. 'We will steadfastly safeguard national security and seize upon national opportunities under the One Country, Two Systems framework.' Lee also pledged to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis – a megaproject that the government says will be home to a third of the city's population, but environmental groups have called for better protection of the surrounding wetlands. In Tsim Sha Tsui, dozens of people lined up to board fishing boats adorned with bright red Chinese national and Hong Kong flags, which paraded around Victoria Harbour in celebration of the Handover. Led by the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium, the group waved China's and Hong Kong's flags outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. In Tai Kok Tsui's Olympian City shopping mall, panda-shaped balloons were given to children as part of the Handover celebratory promotions. 'Hong Kong has changed a lot' Across the harbour, in Causeway Bay's Victoria Park, some braved the rain at an event marking the Handover anniversary. Prior to the national security law, the park was the starting point of pro-democracy marches on the Handover anniversary, during which civil society groups walked from Causeway Bay to Central to call for democracy. On Tuesday, parts of the park were booked out by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association, which set up installations – including giant egg tarts and mini panda sculptures – for people to take pictures with. A small exhibition displayed photos of key landmarks in Hong Kong and the years they were built. Among those highlighted were Golden Bauhinia Square in 1997, the Avenue of Stars in 2004, West Kowloon Station, which connects Hong Kong to the mainland, in 2018, and Kai Tak Stadium this year. A woman in her 50s, who asked to remain anonymous, told HKFP she had come to the park to celebrate the Handover anniversary. She was holding a Hong Kong flag and a China flag, which she said were being given out for free at Lee Tung Avenue, a shopping and dining area in Wan Chai. 'As a Hongkonger, I'm here to support local Hong Kong events,' she said in Cantonese. She told HKFP that Lee, the city's chief executive, has been doing a good job as Hong Kong's leader. His policies have made the streets cleaner and Hong Kong more attractive to tourists, she said. Asked how she felt about the political developments in recent years, the woman said she did not pay much attention to politics. L, who was at Victoria Park with his girlfriend, told HKFP he wanted to 'check out what's going on' and take some photos. He asked to be identified only by an initial. He said that prior to 2020, he used to spend Handover anniversaries at protest marches. One of the first marches he took part in was in 2003, when his parents brought him out to protest against the government's plans to enact a local security law known as Article 23. That year, plans for legislation were suspended due to opposition. The law was passed last year in the city's opposition-free legislature. 'Hong Kong has changed a lot since 2019,' L, who is in his mid-20s, said in Cantonese. 'The changes seem inevitable nowadays.' Another man – who only gave his surname, Lam – was at the park with eight family members, including his grandson. Lam said he believed Hong Kong was less chaotic now, but that the stability had come at a cost. He said he had seen the news that the League of Social Democrats (LSD) – one of the city's last pro-democracy groups – announced their disbandment on Sunday. 'It's a pity that there are fewer opposition voices now,' he said. 'It was good to have those voices around because they bring about change. Otherwise, change will take a long time to happen,' Lam told HKFP in Cantonese.
RTHK
11 hours ago
- RTHK
HKers get a treat on SAR anniversary
HKers get a treat on SAR anniversary Discounts of up to 29 percent are available at more than 3,800 eateries around town. Photo: RTHK Hongkongers have been enjoying discounts and freebies that are on offer on the 28th anniversary of the SAR. On Tuesday, more than 3,800 restaurants rolled out discounts of up to 29 percent, and for some eateries, the campaign will last for an entire week. At lunch time, there were queues at a local chain restaurant taking part in the campaign. A customer surnamed Lee said he was here because of the cheaper meals. "Because they have a discount for the celebration... If you don't have the discount, I will go away, I won't queue up here," he said. But Dyujoy did not learn about the offer until an RTHK reporter told him about it. "I didn't know about this discount... so it would be better if it's more advertised, so that we know that there's a discount going on." The number of establishments joining the scheme was up from about 2,000 a year ago. Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said he hopes discounts offered by restaurants would boost revenue by about 10 percent. "Due to the effect of last year's July 1 campaign, more restaurants have joined this year. "We also see an increase in people flow in malls, and they are also spending more in restaurants." As for public transport, several ferry services are free, as are tram rides. Foreign domestic helper Elma said she usually takes the train to go from Central to Causeway Bay, but this time she opted for the tram instead. "[The] more faster [option] is the MTR. But now that the tram is free, I take the tram going here." The MTR Corporation, for its part, is giving away 71,000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw. Many people also flocked to museums across the city, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which offer free admission, along with various indoor and outdoor facilities operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department that are available free of charge. Attractions such as Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360 have also rolled out ticket discounts.
RTHK
11 hours ago
- RTHK
Hkers get a treat on SAR anniversary
Hkers get a treat on SAR anniversary Discounts of up to 29 percent are available at more than 3,800 eateries around town. Photo: RTHK Hongkongers have been enjoying discounts and freebies that are on offer on the 28th anniversary of the SAR. On Tuesday, more than 3,800 restaurants rolled out discounts of up to 29 percent, and for some eateries, the campaign will last for an entire week. At lunch time, there were queues at a local chain restaurant taking part in the campaign. A customer surnamed Lee said he was here because of the cheaper meals. "Because they have a discount for the celebration... If you don't have the discount, I will go away, I won't queue up here," he said. But Dyujoy did not learn about the offer until an RTHK reporter told him about it. "I didn't know about this discount... so it would be better if it's more advertised, so that we know that there's a discount going on." As of public transport, several ferry services are free, as are tram rides. Foreign domestic helper Elma said she usually takes the train to go from Central to Causeway Bay, but this time she opted for the tram instead. "[The] more faster [option] is the MTR. But now that the tram is free, I take the tram going here." The MTR Corporation, for its part, is giving away 71,000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw. Many people also flocked to museums across the city, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which offer free admission, along with various indoor and outdoor facilities operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department that are available free of charge. Attractions such as Ocean Park and Ngong Ping 360 have also rolled out ticket discounts.
