Tender for Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space opens with stricter standards
Lawmaker says it is reasonable for government to impose additional conditions on future tenant, given location’s role in promoting city’s image
Hong Kong authorities have tightened requirements for future tenants of the Central Harbourfront Event Space by introducing key performance indicators (KPIs) for tenders and penalties for poor execution, with some analysts saying the move would help improve the city’s image after the fiasco of a hot-air balloon festival last year.
The Development Bureau said on Monday that an open tender was under way until mid-February for a new tenant of the roughly 3.7-hectare (9.1-acre) site, with the winning bid to be chosen by April.
A bureau spokeswoman said an external party had operated the prime site in Central over the years and hosted a number of mega-events such as the annual Wine and Dine Festival, Art Central and the Clockenflap Music Festival.
“Such a management model will be maintained under the tender exercise, but there will be enhancements in two areas to further unleash the potential of the event space, promote the mega-event economy, and strengthen venue management with a view to enhancing visitors’ experiences,” she said.
The current tenant, Central Venue Management, was appointed to manage and operate the space in 2014, but its contract will end in June 2026.