HONG Kong’s ability to stage major global events in the wake of pandemic isolation is about to be put to the test.

Next month will see the finance hub host the biggest series of international events since often-violent protests in 2019 shut down much of the city. These include the Clockenflap music festival, a reported summit for family offices, Art Basel and the Rugby Sevens tournament.

Hong Kong’s slow pace of reopening has put the city at risk of losing its spot as Asia’s premier arts and exhibition centre for good. In January, Singapore hosted Art SG, the region’s biggest launch since Art Basel’s inaugural show in Hong Kong in 2013.

March’s line-up coincides with the launch of the Hello Hong Kong campaign, aimed at luring travellers back to the city after years of self-imposed isolation. A 500,000 airline ticket giveaway is the centrepiece of the campaign.

The former British colony still has a long way to go. While the city has dropped all Covid restrictions bar masks, tourism numbers remain low. In January, passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level four years earlier. That compares with 77 per cent for Singapore.

Hong Kong is also struggling with a shortage of workers in both the air and services industries. The labour force has shrunk after employees were let go during the pandemic and a flood of residents left the city due to Covid restrictions and concern over Beijing’s stronger grip. The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022.

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The city may scrap its mask mandate for both outdoor and indoor areas as soon as early March, Bloomberg reported on Monday (Feb 27).

Here is a list of key events happening in March:

• The Hong Kong Arts Festival: Feb 17-Mar 19

• HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show: Mar 1-5

• Clockenflap: Mar 3-5

• Hong Kong Flower Show: Mar 10-19

• Art Central: Mar 22-25

• Art Basel: Mar 23-25

• Hong Kong International Film Festival: Mar 30-Apr 10

• Hong Kong Sevens: Mar 31-Apr 2

BLOOMBERG