The Tourism Commission announced on Thursday (23rd) that the government decided to end the pilot program on June 1, 2022 after a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot program for food trucks.
According to the Bureau of Commerce and Economics, the food truck business only performed well in the first year of its launch. In the following two years, the business continued to decline and the development was not satisfactory. Coupled with the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and social movements, the business performance improved in the first half of last year. Fell to its lowest point.
However, some stall owners pointed out that the business is taking a turn for the better, and it is the best plan since the implementation of the plan for many years.
The food truck pilot program was launched in 2017. At that time, a total of 15 food trucks were expected to be put into service. After two extensions, it was expected to be carried out until February 2, 2022.
Not only did the plan fail, but the two food trucks were the first to withdraw from the plan after winning the bid.
In addition, due to the restrictions on designated venues in the plan, the flow of people in most of the 12 business locations is not as ideal, resulting in correspondingly unsatisfactory turnover.
Under the vicious circle, of the 12 remaining food trucks in the plan, only six are more frequently operated, and they will only appear in the three business locations with more frequent traffic.
Although participating in the government plan does not mean that the participants will be able to achieve good results, the current government claims that the reason for the termination of the plan is due to poor business performance. It also includes unexpected factors such as the impact of the epidemic and social movements. It is undoubtedly a crime of non-war, and the main reason behind the failure of the operation should actually be blamed on the government's planning failure.
The Butchers Truck, which specializes in hamburgers, still insists on operating daily. It is currently placed in the West Kowloon Cultural District for a long time. The person in charge Cai Zhenqiang (Leo) said helplessly, "I just had a meeting with the Bureau of Business and Economics, and the cancellation will be announced as soon as it is over. There is no profit from the department, I will end when I start to get angry..." (data picture)
Is the food truck for tourist attractions?
The government stated that the food truck has been fully tested as a mode of operation for the promotion of tourism projects, but its development has failed to achieve the policy goals. In fact, the plan has turned the cart before the horse.
Looking back at the discussion documents of the Legislative Council at that time, the positioning of the Food Truck Pilot Project "to enhance and enrich Hong Kong’s dining options and bring more specialties to tourists and citizens" shows that the characteristics of the mobile operation of food trucks have not been recognized at all. The focus of the plan.
Or because it is necessary to jointly negotiate with the Food and Health Bureau, FEHD, Transport Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Fire Services Department, Environmental Protection Department and other government departments on the licensing conditions and regulatory framework of the pilot scheme before launching the project. When there are separate regulations that need to be complied with and it is difficult to make exemptions, the food trucks must be castrated in disguise, resulting in the current situation of "not good at doing".
Generally speaking, when food trucks can only be operated in designated locations, it is no different from setting up restaurants near tourist attractions.
Taking a step back, if food is provided to promote tourism, why not just open a restaurant?
What is the positive relationship between tourism promotion and movable vehicles?
The government seems to have never given a clear answer.
When the plan takes a crooked path in the early stages of its envisioning, the worst result will also come into being.
The government must learn its lesson and avoid the failure of the next plan.
Lin Ruihua, who is also the spokesperson of the Food Truck Alliance, was among the first batch of pioneers to operate food trucks. However, he pointed out that there are only 14 licensed food trucks left in Hong Kong, and about 3 to 4 of them are ready to withdraw.
(Photo by Yu Junliang)
Can M+ bring business opportunities to food trucks?
Food trucks must be listed as special-purpose vehicles by the Transport Department, with the body type designated as "mobile food processing trucks" before they can start operation.
However, the terms and conditions of the renewed food truck vehicle license were revised at the end of last year, stating that “it shall not be used for purposes other than food trucks under the food truck pilot program”. After the end of the plan, the vehicle will not be renewed by the Transport Department. Unless it is converted into a truck for transportation, it will not be able to drive on the road and become "waste."
Owners of food trucks now say that there is an endless stream of tourists in the West Kowloon Cultural District, which is just in time for business to turn for the better.
Merely calculating the number of visitors to the M+ Museum in the first month of its opening, there are only six small restaurants in the cultural area, which is actually difficult to cope with the flow of visitors.
The government may consider allowing current food truck owners to continue to operate in the West Kowloon Cultural District while meeting the needs of tourists and car owners, and to manage food trucks with reference to the mobile hawker license model, including not allowing "inheritance" or "transfer" of food truck operating rights.
Food trucks that cannot be operated on the move are difficult to survive. Deepening the development of local tourism will help enhance soft power
