Industry veterans and officials on Wednesday encouraged Hong Kong and Shenzhen to jointly promote the nighttime economy by leveraging their respective strengths in cultural tourism and technology, as the model is emerging as a new driving force for economic growth.
People’s concept of life and lifestyle has undergone a great transformation, with tourism and leisure activities being extended from daytime to nighttime, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. The period from 6 pm to 10 pm has become the “golden four hours” marking the busiest part of the nighttime economy.
According to a report by marketing consultancy Zhiyanzhan, the market size of the nighttime economy on the Chinese mainland grew from 22.54 trillion yuan($3.1 trillion) in 2018 to 50.25 trillion yuan in 2023.
This trend is particularly evident in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of the most dynamic and vibrant regions in the country with a population of 86 million. Shenzhen ranked fourth among 350 monitored cities in the country in terms of the vibrancy of nighttime tourism in November, partly driven by the wave of Hong Kong residents traveling across the border in search of dining, shopping and entertainment. According to the academy, Hong Kong tourists account for 2.1 percent of the total number of nighttime tourists in Shenzhen.
READ MORE: HK shoppers flocking north for bargains, fun and food
Hong Kong and Shenzhen have their own advantages in developing the nighttime economy and the two have much experience to share and learn from each other, Dai said at the 2024 China Night-time Economy Research Findings Release event, held in Shenzhen on Wednesday.
“Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong district stands out as a typical example of how to build a cultural and leisure neighborhood featuring international style and fashion. Its inclusiveness and openness are vital factors for attracting a large number of nighttime tourists,” he said.
“The city’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural tourism, including inviting tourists to visit art exhibitions and take part in live music shows, also serve as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing how cultural offerings can enhance the nighttime landscape.”
Technology is also an integral part for developing the nighttime economy, Dai noted. Citing spectacular drone shows as an example, he said Shenzhen can harness its technological prowess to make innovations and enhance nighttime visitors’ experience.
ALSO READ: Nighttime economy heats up
Chen Guolong, director of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and the Sports Bureau of Futian District in Shenzhen, said the district attaches great importance to working with Hong Kong to promote nighttime tourism.
The district is one of the most popular destinations for Hong Kong visitors given its proximity to the border. Among the total number of nighttime tourists in Futian district, 4.7 percent are from Hong Kong. The figure is more than twice that of the average for Shenzhen.
“We have introduced a range of measures to attract visitors from Hong Kong. For example, we launched five bus routes to take Hong Kong travelers to tourist sites and concert venues from the border. Payment services have been improved to facilitate cross-boundary consumption among Hong Kong visitors. We also issued batches of consumption vouchers, offering them subsidies,” he said.
Chen said he hopes that more tourism promotion events of Hong Kong could be held in Futian, further strengthening bilateral exchanges and integration.
