“Despite High Expectations, Kai Tak Sports Park’s Opening Doesn’t Boost Local Eateries”

The much-anticipated inauguration of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park this Saturday didn’t translate into increased business for nearby dining establishments. The majority of the approximately 34,000 attendees chose to vacate the vicinity immediately after the event’s conclusion, rather than dining in the area.

Local restaurant manager Yarus Lau of GoNuts, located in Kai Tak Mall 2, expressed slight disappointment at the turnout. According to him, the customer flow was roughly the same as previous weekends. Interestingly, he noted that customer traffic had been higher during the stadium’s earlier drills and test events.

Lau believes the issue lies in the nature of the attendees and the timing of the event. The event concluded at 8.35pm, which is typically past the usual dinner hours. He observed, “It seems like attendees are scattering without reentering the restaurants.”

The Kai Tak Sports Park, a project worth HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion), was officially opened to the public this Saturday evening. The opening ceremony, which started at 6.30pm, was a gala event featuring numerous celebrities.

The massive crowd of roughly 33,000 spectators had completely dispersed within an hour of the event’s end. While some attendees did opt for a meal post-event, local restaurants didn’t witness the expected long lines.

The opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park was a significant event, but its impact on local businesses, particularly restaurants, was less beneficial than anticipated. Even though some spectators did visit restaurants after the event, the overall effect on local eateries was minimal. This outcome provides an important insight for potential investors and individuals interested in the dynamics between major events and local businesses.