Hong Kong Is Giving Away 500,000 Free Airline Tickets in a Bid to Boost HK Tourism
Who else is feeling nostalgic for Hong Kong? Before the pandemic, HK was the go-to family and date trip for Filipino travelers, but much has changed since 2020. For almost three years, HK has been closed to tourists, but 2023 will mark a turnaround for HK’s tourism. As part of its mega-campaign to revive tourism, Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free airline tickets to entice travelers back to its shores.
The tickets will be given away by the Airport Authority Hong Kong through HK’s local carriers,—Cathay Pacific Airway, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airways—to different markets around the world with a special focus on Asia. The best part is that Filipinos could be among the first to snag free air tickets to Hong Kong as starting March 1, tickets will be given out to Southeast Asian markets via promotional activities by Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines.
Visit this website to learn more or follow the airlines on socials for the latest updates.
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To support the local businesses that once relied on tourism, Hong Kong Tourism Board will also be throwing in one million vouchers or “Hong Kong Goodies” for visitors to use at over 16,000 local bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, and more.
This is all part of the city’s HK$2 billion (P13.7 billion) “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to welcome the rest of the world back into Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong is back on the map for global travelers, with more excitement to offer than ever before. We are extending a biggest welcome to the world through the ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign, inviting friends from everywhere as they return to one of the world’s greatest tourism destinations,” said Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. “I am confident that Hong Kong’s vibrant east-meets-west culture, together with our iconic and brand-new attractions and immersive experiences will attract travelers back for an epic, unforgettable journey.”
Hong Kong is the last major tourist hub in the region to open up. China’s strict COVID measures are committed to containing strains but at the expense of tourism. The city once saw over 50 million visitors per year, but the pandemic drove that number down to only 100,000. The few who could travel to Hong Kong were required to undergo strict COVID testing and quarantine policies. With China’s policies relaxing, Hong Kong is ready to regain its title as the region’s biggest international travel/aviation hub.
“These tickets were bought at the worst time of the pandemic, showing our confidence in the future of Hong Kong’s aviation industry. The campaign will generate a multiplier effect on boosting air traffic and enormous publicity for Hong Kong,” said Jack So, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong. “We also have had a good start of 2023 with the resumption of normal travel with the Mainland. HKIA has always been a major international aviation hub. We are confident that passenger traffic will continue to rise.”
In the last three years, a lot has changed in Hong Kong. Aside from the pre-pandemic hotspots like Disneyland, the city has a whole slew of new offerings, like M+, Hong Kong Palace Museum, the new Peak Tram, Water World Ocean Park, and more. The city will also be hosting more than 250 new events and festivals in 2023 to celebrate the return of tourists, such as the Hong Kong Marathon, Clockenflap Music Festival, Art Basel, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, and more.
The gates are open. The time is here. Start planning your trip to Hong Kong now, and you might just be one of the lucky few to snag a free ticket.
