Refund calls mount over Hong Kong festival’s suspension of hot-air balloon rides
Display balloons at the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong were also deflated due to heat on Friday morning
The organiser of a trouble-hit hot-air balloon festival in Hong Kong is facing mounting calls from affected participants and the city’s consumer watchdog to offer refunds after failing to secure a licence for tethered rides and suspending the activity on Thursday.
Staff at the inaugural AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong were also forced to deflate all the balloons on display at the Central Harbourfront on Friday morning, with hot weather given as the reason. The balloons were reinflated in the evening.
The Consumer Council said that it had received 28 complaints involving HK$40,118 (US$5,140) as of 5pm on Friday, with the largest amount at HK$4,956. The complaints were related to the lack of balloon rides.
The watchdog acknowledged that the event organiser had told ticket holders that they could enjoy one free entry during the corresponding period on any day during the event, which started on Thursday and ends on Sunday.
But it said such an arrangement might fail to satisfy customers who expected to enjoy hot-air balloon rides, which the event had promoted.
“The Consumer Council urges the organisers to provide more flexible arrangements, including considering partial refunds for affected attendees,” the watchdog said.