A total of 17 candidates are contesting 16 seats in the catering subsector of Hong Kong's Election Committee, with candidates pledging to strengthen industry-government communication, improve the "mega events plus dining" initiative and extend its reach across the city.
The 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections will be held on Nov. 22. The catering subsector held a candidates' forum on Thursday (Nov. 12), attended by nearly 100 industry voters and representatives, who had the opportunity to exchange views directly with the 17 candidates. The event saw lively discussions.
Candidates pledged to fulfil their duties as Election Committee members if elected, establish regular channels of communication between the government and the industry, improve the "mega events plus dining" initiative, and help the sector seize opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while reinforcing HK's position as an international culinary hub.
Several industry representatives at the forum said that addressing the sector's manpower challenges in the long term would require promoting digital transformation, the application of artificial intelligence and dedicated workforce training. They also proposed extending the mechanism linking the mega-events economy with the catering sector to all 18 districts of HK.
The catering subsector belongs to the Election Committee's first sector, comprising the industrial, commercial and financial sectors. It has 16 seats, all of which are elected. With 17 candidates running this year, a contested election will be held.
At the forum, candidates took turns outlining their reasons for running and their election platforms. Several noted that the catering industry was facing multiple challenges, including manpower shortages, rising operating costs and changing consumption patterns.
If elected, they said they would proactively establish regular communication mechanisms to gather views from across the industry and work with other Election Committee members and Legislative Council members to put forward practical and feasible proposals to the government, ensuring that policies better reflect the sector's actual needs.
On the "mega events plus dining" initiative, candidates acknowledged that major events had helped boost catering consumption, but noted that the number of participating restaurants remained limited, preventing the initiative from fully realizing its potential benefits from economies of scale.
They proposed that the government expand the scheme's coverage and simplify participation procedures, while encouraging cross-sector collaboration among tourism, culture, retail and catering businesses. The aim is to turn visitor traffic into actual spending and help restaurants attract more customers.
On issues of concern to the industry, including the importation of labour and licensing procedures, candidates said they would listen to views from different parties and seek a balance between protecting local employment, ensuring food safety, maintaining a favourable business environment and supporting the industry's sustainable development.
They added that rational communication and consensus-building would be essential to encouraging the government to formulate practical and forward-looking policies.
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