Hong Kong: Restaurant sales increase by 15% on National Day

HONG KONG Many restaurants in Hong Kong enjoyed a 15 per cent rise in business on Tuesday due to National Day celebration offers, including discounts of up to 30 per cent at more than 3,600 outlets. Michael Leung Chun-wah, chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, said the city’s catering industry enjoyed a 10 to 15 per cent rise in business.

“Restaurants’ promotional offers have made an impact,” he said. “Customer inflow has increased, especially in residential estates, while the overall business of restaurants has improved. We are all happy with today’s performance.” Leung said the number of locals heading north would decrease on Tuesday, while the arrival of more than 1,000 mainland Chinese tour groups in the next few days would boost business for restaurants.

Simon Wong Ka-wo, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said the industry would see revenue of about HK$300 million (US$38.6 million) on Tuesday, on par with last year, while a recent surge in Hong Kong share prices has fueled optimism. “With so many celebratory events and fireworks, sentiment has improved. Everyone is happy and willing to loosen their purse strings,” he said. The benchmark Hang Seng index closed 2.4 per cent higher at 21,133.68 on Monday, extending its 18 per cent gain in September, the best month since November 2022.