Discount galore as HK marks handover anniversary with citywide offers

Discounts and special offers galore to celebrate the handover anniversary.

Apart from free admission at museums to leisure facilities, more than 3,400 restaurants across the city joined the promotion campaigns.

At Lee Tung Avenue, festive decorations, performances and a slew of promotional campaigns add to the celebratory mood on this handover anniversary holiday.

Some families say they were willing to spend more than usual because of the wide range of discounts on offer -- and handouts of freebies today.

ZOE from the Yung family: "My family and I usually don't go to Hong Kong Island, usually stay in Kowloon, so this is a very good experience to me."

When asked by our reporter if they think the discounts and campaigns would encourage them to spend more, MEI from the family of four says, "Sure, and come out to enjoy the atmosphere and we enjoy so much."

Tourist YULIA: "The music, the orchestra, you've seen the kids playing, right? It's very beautiful and all the decorations so really I enjoyed my time here."

Restaurants are also seeing a boost in traffic which is expected to buoy revenue.

Restaurant Staff MARC: "The atmosphere here it's like much more crowded. Using the 50-percent discount dining vouchers, that's helped our business because it encourages people to buy more of our products, and then having to dine in here."

Multiple restaurant chains offer discounted meals sold at 71% of the original price.

This customer says he plans to order extra dishes and dine out in the evening to make the most of the promotion. Some eateries roll out half-priced discounts for elderly-friendly easy-to-chew meals.

Special offers too from multiple transport operators.

Some distribute 400 free ferry tickets for routes serving destinations such as Cheung Chau and Mui Wo, though they were snapped up quickly in the morning.

Tourist Alex: "I think they need to get more tickets, for sure. I mean I want to go for free so that'd be nice."

Hong Kong Tramways offer free rides for three days, while the MTR hands out 71,000 local single-journey tickets through its mobile app.

Several museums offering free admission also prove popular, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum as visitors seek refuge from the summer heat.

Free admission, too, at public sports grounds, swimming pools, permanent exhibitions at the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum, as well as the Wetland Park.