New light shows must attract business, not just spectators: tourism sector

New light shows replacing Hong Kong’s long-running “A Symphony of Lights” should help nearby shops and restaurants attract business, rather than simply drawing spectators who leave after the performance, tourism representatives have said.

Lawmaker Perry Yiu Pak-leung and tourism union adviser Leung Fong-yuen on Wednesday backed experimenting with new formats as the nightly Victoria Harbour attraction prepares to stage its final show next Wednesday after 22 years.

“Don’t simply attract tourists to come, take a look, marvel at it together and then leave,” Leung said. “Without any subsequent boost to the economy, it has little meaning.”