“Revenge-style” consumption has brought the catering sector back to life as stringent Covid rules have been eased since Thursday, allowing restaurants to resume dinner services between 6pm and 10pm.
Speaking on a radio program on Saturday, Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said restaurants have seen their overall businesses increase by 60 to 70 percent. Some even see businesses recovered by up to 80 percent, Wong said.
Wong pointed out that crowds already flocked to restaurants to enjoy dinner on Thursday, and gave the example of a seafood restaurant on Sai Kung which saw all its seats there filled that night.
He continued that with the electronic consumption vouchers issued early this month, citizens are more motivated to spend and to dine out.
He added many citizens have yet to use up the HK$5,000 consumption vouchers and appealed to the government to relax the number of guests served per table from the current four to eight, saying that coming Mother's Day is crucial to the industry's businesses.
He suggested canceling the restriction on operation hours as well.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union's chairman Lee Yuet-man said most fitness centers see full reservations after Covid curbs were eased as coaches can resume 40 to 50 percent of work.
Yet, Lee noted that operators are merely paying off their debts for most customers are taking part in courses or classes they enrolled before the closure of gyms.
Operators still can't increase their cash flow and the situation remains bitter for them.
Lee added some government sports facilities have been turned into testing centers or vaccination centers and organizations could hardly make a reservation -- with the earliest one to come after June.
Wong pointed out that crowds already flocked to restaurants to enjoy dinner on Thursday, and gave the example of a seafood restaurant on Sai Kung which saw all its seats there filled that night.
He continued that with the electronic consumption vouchers issued early this month, citizens are more motivated to spend and to dine out.
He added many citizens have yet to use up the HK$5,000 consumption vouchers and appealed to the government to relax the number of guests served per table from the current four to eight, saying that coming Mother's Day is crucial to the industry's businesses.
He suggested canceling the restriction on operation hours as well.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union's chairman Lee Yuet-man said most fitness centers see full reservations after Covid curbs were eased as coaches can resume 40 to 50 percent of work.
Yet, Lee noted that operators are merely paying off their debts for most customers are taking part in courses or classes they enrolled before the closure of gyms.
Operators still can't increase their cash flow and the situation remains bitter for them.
Lee added some government sports facilities have been turned into testing centers or vaccination centers and organizations could hardly make a reservation -- with the earliest one to come after June.