More star-studded events will lure tourists to Hong Kong, say golf fans at debut LIV tournament in city
Thousands of fans flocked to Hong Kong’s Fanling golf course on Saturday for a star-studded tournament, with some tourists flying in to the city just for the world-class event.
LIV Golf Hong Kong, making its debut locally, was one of three major international sporting events awarded “M” Mark status by the city’s Major Sports Event Committee this month, along with cycling’s UCI Track Nations Cup and the World Triathlon Cup. “M” Mark status allows major events to seek government backing and funding.
Hosting big-name draws such as the LIV Golf tournament would help to boost Hong Kong’s image as a tourism and sporting events hub, spectators said.
Among the fans was Glen Limketai, 55, a business owner from the Philippines, and his 14-year-old son Chaz, who were visiting the city for two days to enjoy the tournament, running from Friday to Sunday.
“I’m passionate about the sport and my son has been playing junior golf since he was seven,” Limketai said, holding two bags of memorabilia and waiting to collect players’ autographs.
“I think an event like this can totally boost tourism. Rather than flying all the way to the US to watch a game, it’s closer here. Basically a lot of players in the Philippines or in Asia will come just to watch.”
He said the pair would leave on Sunday night so his son could go to school the next day.
Among the top players at the Hong Kong Golf Club-hosted event this weekend are Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Harold Varner III and Abraham Ancer.
Review of Hong Kong cash support for big sports events to be completed this year
Review of Hong Kong cash support for big sports events to be completed this year
New Zealander Anna Kuiti, 36, who has lived in Hong Kong for five years, said she got into the sport because of her golf-playing husband, noting the event had a similar vibe to the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.
“It’s exciting to have something that loud and fun as it brings in a lot of young people from around the world. People are coming with their friends and families and having a good time, just like people going to the Sevens,” Kuiti said.
However, retiree Jonathan Hsu from Taipei said the event would only appeal to golf fans as ordinary tourists were looking for more experiences when travelling.
“A sporting event alone is not very likely to attract a bunch of tourists,” the 67-year-old said. “You may see a few hundred people here, but the number is just like a pinch of sand. If you want to boost tourism, you need all the sand on the beach.”
‘It was bad luck’: Messi breaks silence after no-show in Hong Kong game
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Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung said spectators from around 30 countries and territories had made their way to the city for the event, adding that it had brought “vast” direct investment and global exposure to the city.
Also watching the golf was Tourism Board executive director Dane Cheng Ting-yat who said it was delightful to see international sport events being held in Hong Kong. The board would continue to promote and host large-scale events, he added.
About 6,000 fans were expected at the tournament each day.
Photographer Jack Chan Hon-ki, 36, said events like the LIV tournament could help to boost Hong Kong’s image as it could show the city’s capability in hosting world-class events, but the government needed to learn from past lessons.
“The goal of boosting economic growth and tourist numbers should be at the forefront, and it also needs to come up with cohesive promotion strategies, as well as contingency and crisis management plans given the chaos caused by Messi not playing,” Chan said, referring to the fiasco last month in which football superstar Lionel Messi sat out a much-hyped friendly match.
