Hong Kong is planning to spend up to US$20 million to stir up Olympic fever in the Chinese territory and abroad ahead of next year’s Beijing Games, an official said Saturday.

Hong Kong, a former British colony on the southern edge of mainland China, will host the equestrian events of the Games, but officials have admitted there is a lack of interest among the city’s money-mad residents.

Legislators will be asked next month to approve a budget of 150 million Hong Kong dollars ($19.2 million) for a host of Olympic-themed events to stir up enthusiasm, including street carnivals and a torch relay.

Almost HK$30 million ($3.85 million) would go to the quasi-governmental Tourism Bureau, Home Affairs Deputy Secretary Donald Tong told broadcaster RTHK.

“It’s entirely up to the Hong Kong Tourism Bureau how they use the HK$29 million, whether in Hong Kong, in the mainland and overseas in promoting the Olympics,” he said