Hong Kong wine festival exhibitors doubt later hours will boost bottle sales

Exhibitors at Hong Kong’s annual Wine and Dine Festival have said that later opening times are unlikely to increase sales of wine by the bottle.

The event now closes at 1am on Friday and Saturday, but sellers doubt that the additional hours will lift bottle sales.

More booths and international participation

The festival returned to the Central Harbourfront on Thursday with over 340 booths, marking an increase of more than 10 per cent from last year.

More than 30 countries and regions are represented at the event.

The festival’s overseas participation has also given the event a wider significance, with new overseas participants believing that Hong Kong serves as an indicator for broader trends in Asian markets.

Extended schedule

The festival operates from 1pm to 1am on Friday and Saturday, compared with its previous schedule of midday to midnight.

However, exhibitors returning to the festival remain sceptical that the later closing time will translate into stronger bottle sales.

Unlike last year, the festival coincides with the Halloween weekend this year.

Source: South China Morning Post