Hong Kong

Hong Kong cuts costs but won't cut holidays in economic downturn

Hong Kong - The people of Hong Kong are cutting travel costs but not abandoning their holidays as they economize on luxuries during the global economic slump, a survey released Tuesday found.

A survey of people in the wealthy city of 6.9 million found they were looking at making their winter breaks cheaper rather than staying at home.

Forty-eight per cent of people interviewed said they would be more flexible on travel dates, 40 per cent said they would consider taking shorter trips and 35 per cent said they would cut holiday budgets.

A surprisingly large 78 per cent of respondents in the survey by the online travel firm Zuji said they still planned to go on holiday in early 2009 despite the economic downturn.

Crisis means good deals in Asia for flashpackers

Hong Kong - "It's a buyers market," Malcolm O'Brien said. "There's bargains out there if you have the money to spend - at least in the short-term."

O'Brien is not talking about property, or stocks - but holidays and particularly holidays in Thailand and Vietnam.

With occupancy rates falling as hard-hit travellers ditch their holiday plans, hotels are slashing their rates to fill rooms rather than see them go empty, said O'Brien, head of traveller feedback with Lonely Planet Asia-Pacific.

Hong Kong stocks open 4 per cent higher on global share rises

Hong Kong stocks open 4 per cent higher on global share rises

Chef hospitalized as turtle escapes cooking pot in Hong Kong

Chef hospitalized as turtle escapes cooking pot in Hong Kong Hong Kong  - A restaurant chef ended up in hospital as a turtle bit his foot to escape the cooking pot in a Hong Kong restaurant, a news report said Tuesday.

The 60-centimetre wattle-necked, soft-shelled turtle sank its teeth into the chef's foot, during a dash for freedom as it was about to be put in boiling water on Monday, the South China Morning Post reported.

Hong Kong golfers switch from clubs to public courses in downturn

Hong Kong golfers switch from clubs to public courses in downturnHong Kong - Wealthy Hong Kong businessmen are switching from expensive private golf clubs to public courses to keep their handicaps up during the downturn, a news report said Monday.

The number of people using the city's public golf course on Kau Sai Chau island shot up by 48 per cent in October compared to the same month in 2007, the South China Morning Post reported.

Half of Hong Kong businessmen expect recession to last two years

Half of Hong Kong businessmen expect recession to last two years Hong Kong  - Half of Hong Kong businesses expect the city's recession to drag on for at least two years, according to a survey Saturday.

Ninety per cent of businessmen and businesswomen said they believed the recession would last through 2009 while half said they expected it to continue through 2010 and beyond.

Andrew Brandler, chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce which conducted the survey among its members, called on the government to help businesses in the city survive the downturn.

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