【社評雙語道】辦好節慶盛事 「東方之珠」更閃亮

原文

摘錄自2月16日香港《文匯報》：2月17日是馬年大年初一，全城喜氣洋洋迎新歲。春節黃金周假期將有143萬人次內地客訪港，日均訪客人數按年升約6%。香港在新春3天的公眾假期將有一系列大型活動，為市民及旅客提供更多好去處，相信會「盛事連連、區區熱鬧」。

農曆新年是中華文化的重要載體，春節盛事是展現香港國際形象的重要窗口。香港將傳統中華節慶文化糅合現代化都市特色，將文化自信與經濟活力完美結合，展現不一樣的香港春節魅力，擦亮「東方之珠」的金字招牌。

農曆新年是中華文化中最重要的傳統節慶。香港作為中西文化薈萃的國際都市，在保留傳統文化精髓的同時，不斷創新發展，將春節慶祝活動打造成融合東西方元素、具有國際水平的文化盛事。

新春花車巡遊、維港煙花匯演、賀歲賽馬、足球賀歲盃、年宵市場，以至各區香火鼎盛的傳統廟宇等系列活動，營造出溫馨喜慶的節日氛圍。這些活動已成為香港的文化標誌和品牌形象，享譽海內外。

春節賀歲盛事不僅具有文化價值，更蘊藏巨大經濟潛力。春節盛事有效吸引旅客來港，帶動餐飲、購物、酒店等行業消費增長。入境事務處預計，2月15日至23日一連九日的內地春節黃金周期間約有143萬內地旅客進入香港，每日平均訪港人次較去年春節黃金周增加約6%。另外，旅遊業監管局和業界估算，預計會有2,200個旅行團入境香港，日均入境團數較去年內地勞動節、國慶黃金周有明顯增長。

春節節慶活動正是香港展現獨特魅力、鞏固國際旅遊城市地位的重要平台。一方面，這些活動充分展現了中華文化的博大精深，讓國際旅客在享受現代娛樂表演的同時，領略中華民族的傳統文化底蘊。

另一方面，香港作為國際大都市，具備完善的旅遊基礎設施和優質的服務體系，為旅客提供了舒適便利的體驗。特區政府和本港旅遊消費等相關行業，積極把握春節黃金周的機遇，舉辦眾多高質量的國際盛會和文化活動，不僅豐富市民的文化生活，也進一步釋放盛事經濟活力，將旅客人流轉化促消費、振經濟的強勁動能。

春節黃金周訪港客流、車流驟增，特區政府、業界需要未雨綢繆，做好待客服務，確保旅客乘興而來、盡興而回。政務司安排跨部門工作小組會議，統籌並督導各政府部門接待訪港旅客的預備工作。可以預見，隨着春節期間的待客措施將順利落實，香港的「人氣、財氣」會進一步旺盛。春節盛事經濟的成功實踐，為活躍香港經濟提供寶貴經驗和信心，充分展示香港作為國際化大都市的蓬勃生機和無限潛力，各行各業、廣大市民新一年定能馬到功成、大展鴻圖。

譯文

Showcasing the Charm of HK's CNY to Burnish the "Pearl of the Orient"

17 February marks the first day of the Year of the Horse, with the entire city brimming with joy to welcome the New Year. During the Chinese New Year Golden Week, Hong Kong is expected to receive 1.43 million visitors from the Mainland, with the average daily arrivals rising by about 6% year-on-year. Across the three-day Chinese New Year public holiday, Hong Kong will host a series of major events, offering residents and tourists more attractions. It is set to be a period of "continuous grand events and vibrant districts."

The Chinese New Year is a vital carrier of Chinese culture, and New Year festivities provide a key window for showcasing Hong Kong's international image. Hong Kong blends traditional Chinese festive culture with the characteristics of a modern metropolis, combining cultural confidence with economic dynamism to present a unique Chinese New Year atmosphere that further polishes the prestigious brand of the "Pearl of the Orient."

As the most significant traditional festival in Chinese culture, the Chinese New Year holds great importance. Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan city where East meets West, preserves the essence of traditional culture while continuously innovating and developing. The city's festive events, which integrate both Eastern and Western elements, have evolved into cultural spectacles of international standard. From the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, Chinese New Year Fireworks Display, Year of The Horse Raceday, Chinese New Year Cup, Chinese New Year Flower Markets, to the bustling traditional temples across various districts, these activities create a warm and festive atmosphere. These activities have become cultural landmarks and brand icons for Hong Kong, renowned both locally and abroad.

The Chinese New Year festivities carry not only cultural significance but also considerable economic potential. These celebrations effectively attract visitors to Hong Kong, boosting consumption in the catering, retail and hospitality. The Immigration Department estimates that during the nine-day Mainland Chinese New Year Golden Week from 15 to 23 February, approximately 1.43 million Mainland tourists will enter Hong Kong, with average daily arrivals increasing by about 6% compared with corresponding period last year. The Travel Industry Authority and the sector estimate that around 2,200 tour groups will arrive in Hong Kong, with the daily number of inbound groups showing a marked increase compared with last year's Labour Day and National Day Golden Weeks.

Chinese New Year events serve as an important platform for Hong Kong to showcase its unique charm and to strengthen its position as an international tourist destination. On one hand, these activities highlight the richness of Chinese culture, enabling international visitors to appreciate traditional Chinese heritage whilst enjoying modern entertainment performances.

On the other hand, Hong Kong, as a world-class metropolis, possesses comprehensive tourism infrastructure and high-quality services, providing visitors with a comfortable and convenient experience. The Government and the tourism and consumer-related industries are actively seizing the opportunities brought by the Golden Week to organise high-quality international events and cultural activities. These not only enrich the cultural life of residents but also further stimulate the "mega event economy", transforming visitor flows into strong momentum for consumption and economic growth.

With the surge of visitors and traffic during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, the Government and the industry must plan ahead and ensure quality hospitality so that travellers arrive in high spirits and leave with satisfaction. The Chief Secretary for Administration has convened cross-departmental meetings to coordinate and supervise preparations across government departments for receiving inbound visitors. With these hospitality measures expected to be smoothly implemented during the festive period, Hong Kong's "popularity and prosperity" are set to rise even further. The successful experience of the Chinese New Year event economy provides valuable insights and confidence for invigorating Hong Kong's economy, showcasing the vibrancy and limitless potential of a highly internationalised metropolis. With joint efforts across all sectors and the wider community, the new year will surely bring success, prosperity, and new achievements.

●Tiffany