The Joint Coalition Against the Financial Tsunami announces at a press conference yesterday that, from March to April, meals at 1,000 Hong Kong restaurants will be discounted by 20 percent or offered up for a dollar a serving. China Daily

HONG KONG: Beginning next month, Hong Kong eateries hope to make the attraction of eating out irresistible, with fat discounts on prices.

From March to April, meals at 1,000 Hong Kong restaurants will be discounted by 20 percent or offered up for a dollar a serving.

The promotion is the latest brainchild of the Joint Coalition Against the Financial Tsunami.

Convenor of the Coalition and legislator representing the wholesale and retail sector, Vincent Fang, said the promotion is part of the effort to help the restaurant and catering business ride out the storm.

Participating eateries range from fast food chains like Macdonald's and Pacific Coffee to elegant establishments specializing in Western, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.

"We hope the promotion can encourage people to spend more and support the local catering business," he said.

Vice convenor of the Coalition and legislator for the catering sector Tommy Cheung hoped the promotion would also attract mainland visitors from the Pearl River Delta.

He believed consumers would order other foods and would not limit spending to just one dollar in a restaurant.

Thomas Woo, vice president of the Hong Kong Catering Industry Association said business at restaurants has fallen off sharply since the Chinese New Year.

Some Chinese restaurants have lost 40 to 50 percent of their dinner time business, he said.

The period right after the Chinese New Year traditionally is the difficult time when restaurants tend to go under. He expressed the hope that the promotion helps some restaurants that are on the edge to stay in the business.

Simon Wong, executive director of the LHGroup, said his organization has joined in the promotion. "We offer HK$1 dishes because the economy is especially bad," he said.

He expects the promotion will lighten the gloomy spirit that now prevails and will encourage people to come out more.

Some consumers have responded by saying they find the promotion attractive, but will not likely go to restaurants more often because of the lower prices.

A housewife surnamed Chan said the promotion gives her many choices but said she would eat out only when called for by the occasion.

(HK Edition 02/24/2009 page1)