As final preparations are made for the upcoming New Year’s Eve concert, Deland Leong Wai Man, director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), shared insights on crowd management, budget considerations, and lessons learned from recent events. Leong anticipates that this year’s concert will attract approximately 10,000 attendees, in line with the numbers from previous years.
At the sidelines of the traditional blessing ceremony of the New Year’s Eve concert yesterday, Leong confirmed that the budget for this year’s concert is set at 6.5 million patacas, which includes expenses for performances and logistics. Leong emphasized the focus on local talent, stating, “We mainly invite singers from Macau, including both well-known and emerging artists.” In addition to local acts, the concert will feature popular Hong Kong singers.
Reflecting on a recent outdoor concert that drew 11,000 attendees – down from an expected 15,000 – Leong noted the importance of assessing audience experiences. “We aimed for a 90% occupancy rate, and we achieved that, which is generally acceptable for us,” she explained. She acknowledged that the concert served as a test for various operational considerations, including ticket sales and crowd management.
According to Leong, the bureau is anticipating around 10,000 attendees for the coming concert, similar to previous years. “In terms of traffic facilities and passenger flow, we are expecting around 10,000 people. We have been communicating with the public security police on site, and there will be traffic control as usual,” Leong said.
She added that if the number of attendees exceeds these estimates, further crowd control measures will be implemented.
In response to feedback about transportation disruptions due to concert traffic, Leong assured citizens that the bureau is committed to continuous improvement.
“We will listen to feedback and gradually refine our approach to operations,” she said. She also addressed registration issues faced by some attendees, clarifying that some problems previously experienced stemmed from incorrect information provided by users during sign-up.
Leong stated that the main purpose of the concert was not to sell tickets but to test the venue’s readiness, including its supporting facilities, transportation capacity, and the guidance provided by IC staff. “We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and clear throughout the entire process, from admission and security checks to finding their seats and leaving the venue,” she said.
Leong said the bureau would review any issues and make adjustments for future events. “We may call on our audience to take precautions against the cold, such as wearing hats,” she said. “As for the food area, we can explore options like adding more mobile booths inside the venue.”
While the bureau has not yet finalized plans for the next concert or event, Leong said they would review the feedback from this event and adjust accordingly.
“We will also conduct some analysis on the information we have received, such as the best times for events and expected attendance, to help us plan the next event,” she said. Victoria Chan
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