The Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district is pulling out all the stops to attract customers this New Year's Eve, with restaurants and bars offering deeper discounts, reducing prices to levels seen before the pandemic.

Anthea Cheung, director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, said operators were being liberal with discounts to help ring in the new year.

“Some restaurants and bars are offering countdown party packages at lower prices than before the pandemic, with extra discounts, in the hope of attracting more customers and increasing their business," she told an RTHK radio programme.

Cheung noted that even though spending sentiment was weaker, many venues are still pressing ahead with festivities.

Restaurants hosting countdown events – many of which are featuring local and overseas DJs – are seeing reservations reach about 80 to 90 percent, she added.

Speaking on the same programme, Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said he believes the New Year’s Eve countdown events in Central will be very appealing.

With the mainland also starting a three-day holiday, he expects more visitors will arrive in Hong Kong from late afternoon into the evening, and that many hotels will be fully booked.