What was surprising about the sacking this week of tourism chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, below, and who’s to be replaced by Rosanna Law was that he lasted as long as he did in this highly important role for the present and future of Hong Kong .
Though Chief Executive John Lee Ka-yiu used the word “sacked”, and softened the blow by thanking dear Kev who many believe was given way too much power and responsibilities, and the also outgoing transport secretary Lam Sai-hung who’s to be replaced by transport permanent secretary Mable Chan, what’s going to be interesting, apart from their “reform mindsets”, is to see what deliverables are on the cards, and if these replacements are actually able to deliver.
Reading that Rosanna Law, 56, and who has been with the government for over three decades, and most recently was housing director, is a “massive fan of a member the Hong Kong boyband Mirror”- Ian Chan Cheuk-Ying, below, was something weirdly random and had some of us wondering what this had to do with her job ahead.
Hopefully, this is not more of catering to Hong Kong’s Selfie People with the usual stuffings of light shows, fireworks and drone shows- and which are seen in every major city in the world- including China.
Surely it’s about creating a unique Hong Kong brand for the entire world to see and not the haphazard Messi and chubby hearts modus operandi of the rather lost and confused “pandanomics” of Kevin Yeung?
Time and results will tell if Rosanna Law has the street smarts, marketing skills, personality and the support of the community and the media to succeed.
What Hong Kong does not need is more of the same warmed up congee and bureaucratic sound bites parroted for public consumption.
Apart from making up for more than a few years of lost time, what’s needed is a Less Is More strategy and not more energy spent throwing everything and nothing against the wall and hoping something sticks.
That’s been tried before and it’s been an unmitigated disaster with little to no accountability and a loss for Hong Kong taxpayers.
Frankly, compared to the somewhat limp efforts of Hong Kong to attract international tourism, a destination like Sri Lanka is way out in front without even trying.
Having been there a few times recently, those in the government in charge of “rebooting” Hong Kong should have lunch at The Ministry Of Crab in Colombo and visit the Galle area of the island- and my motherland.
The number of tourists from Hong Kong and the West, particularly from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe says much about the attraction that is Sri Lanka.
The questions to be asked by those in Hong Kong and put in charge of tourism are the following- and in no particular order of importance:
Has the marketing of Tai Kwun lost its way or been forgotten?
Can it be more than it is?
Are there ways to upgrade the image of former popular tourist spots like Lan Kwai Fong, Wanchai and Soho which today are looking rundown and rather tacky?
Having “crowds” and photos of crowded areas of Hong Kong means nothing if these “crowds” are something like The Walking Dead like those thousands who go any place where something free is being given out to increase “turnstile clicks”.
What do those from overseas looking at Hong Kong as a tourist destination wish to see as the city’s brand personality?
Are those in charge of answering these questions too set in their ways and happy being comfortable in their own little Yes, Minister boxes?
Isn’t there a need for some fresh, new thinking from marketing professionals from overseas familiar with Hong Kong?
What Hong Kong needs is Hope and Happiness.
Like the magic elixir of life, Hope and Happiness are will give Hong Kong a pulse and sense of purpose.
Easier said than done, but no one said life will be easy and handed to you without trying and going for the brass ring.
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