PUBLIC museums in Hong Kong would be made available as unique venues for corporate events under proposals outlined by the city state’s culture and tourism minister.
Measures in the annual Policy Address by Hong Kong chief executive John Lee included encouraging the tourism industry to come up with more ideas to attract higher-spending visitors. Proposals include private events staged at museums and pubic beaches, the development of more yachting marinas and luxury itineraries.
Secretary for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Rosanna Law, said following the Policy Address that the museums operated by the regional government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department were not profitable. She said they might benefit from being made available for private hire similar to how New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted events such as the Met Gala.
According to reports, government officials will consult with the private sector, including event and travel organisers, to find ways of not only making use of museums but also extending the idea public beaches and the extra yacht marinas that are being planned.
Tourism minister Law told a media briefing that the museums would open at night or periods when the facility was not operating for commercial or private hire for events that aligned with the museum’s theme.
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“Museums are not a profitable business because the operation is expensive and the tickets are often free of charge or at a reasonable price … if we can have extra income to support the operation, the bureau will fully endorse it,” Law was quoted by the South China Morning Post as telling the briefing.
“The Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui has a good view of Victoria Harbour after it was renovated, and its quality is high – could it host fundraising galas and fashion shows like New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art?”
Law said the museum-for-hire concept would complement high-end services already provided through corporate hospitality at the city’s horse-racing events, restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide, high-end malls and luxury hotels as some of the examples.
Main picture… One of the sections at the Hong Kong Science Museum displaying aircraft and other mechanical wonders that may be used as backdrops for events such as corporate cocktails or even weddings
