Hong Kong to give away 500,000 air tickets, vouchers to woo tourists

Hong Kong will give away 500,000 free air tickets and vouchers under its “Hello Hong Kong" campaign to woo tourists back to the international financial hub in what Chief Executive John Lee called “probably the world's biggest welcome ever”.

The city is racing to catch up with other popular travel destinations in a fierce regional competition.

After aligning itself with mainland China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, it took months much longer to relax its entry rules than rivals such as Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan. E

Even after it reopened its border with mainland China in January, the tourism recovery was sluggish.

Most of the plane tickets up for grabs—worth 2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($255 million)—will come from three Hong Kong-based airlines through various promotional activities, including lucky draws, “buy one, get one free” promotions, and games.

The project will begin in March and last about six months, said Fred Lam, CEO of the Airport Authority.

Lam added that they hope those who secure the air tickets can bring two or three more relatives and friends to the city. The target is for Hong Kong to bring in 1.5 million visitors by giving away 500,000 air tickets.

The airlines will distribute the tickets in phases, with the Southeast Asian markets set to benefit in the first stage, he said.

An additional 80,000 air tickets will be given away to Hong Kong residents in the summer, Lam said. Those living in the Greater Bay Area will also benefit from the policy that offers over 700,000 tickets in total.