This weekend, Hong Kong's AIA International Hot Air Balloon Festival took a disastrous turn, leaving organizers scrambling after they were forced to cancel the final day due to the impending Typhoon Tapah.

What was supposed to be a dazzling four-day spectacle, backed by a hefty HK$30 million (US$3.8 million), instead unraveled into a logistical nightmare. Just days before the event kicked off at Central Harbourfront, organizers confessed they had failed to secure permits for the main attraction, the tethered balloon rides.

To add fuel to the fire, soaring temperatures on Saturday required many balloons to be temporarily deflated, while event-goers' frustrations peaked when Sunday’s twilight celebrations were scrapped just 90 minutes before showtime. Even a much-anticipated concert by Cantopop star Leo Ku faced the chopping block due to the typhoon warning.

In the wake of these cancellations, the Consumer Council reported over 260 complaints, totaling nearly HK$270,000. Some attendees found themselves out tens of thousands of dollars, inciting over 300 disgruntled festival-goers to form a support group demanding full refunds. They criticized Grand Events Asia, the event organizers, for selling tickets without the necessary approvals.

Initially offering measly concessions like free ice cream to appease outraged patrons, the company eventually conceded to public pressure, committing to refund all tickets purchased through official platforms like HK Ticketing, kkday, and Trip.com. Refund requests will be accepted until October 8, with payouts expected by November 7.

In a statement, the organizers admitted, "Despite our best efforts, we recognize that we fell short of delivering the expected customer experience," and thanked title sponsor AIA Hong Kong for emphasizing the importance of effectively handling complaints.

Experts are openly calling this a 'public relations disaster,' warning that the fallout from this event could tarnish Hong Kong's image, particularly as the city tries to attract more large-scale international events following the debacle surrounding Lionel Messi's visit last year.

In light of the chaos, lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon has urged the government to take a more proactive approach in vetting new event organizers, emphasizing the need to protect public safety and preserve Hong Kong's reputation. "If the government senses that it has a stake, it will be more concerned," she asserted. This chaotic conclusion to the hot air balloon festival not only raises questions about event planning in Hong Kong but also highlights the urgent need for better regulatory oversight to ensure a smoother experience for future events.