Hong Kong’s new global promotional campaign will “kickstart” the city’s reopening to international travelers, the Hong Kong Tourism Board told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Friday.
As part of the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, which was launched on Thursday, 500,000 air tickets will be given away over the next six months, starting in March.
The tickets will be given out through three Hong Kong’s carriers — Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines.
The free tickets are part of the HK$2 billion ($255 milion) relief package that the government offered to airlines in 2020, during the height of the pandemic.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board is also investing a minimum of HK$100 million in the promotion of the campaign’s initial phase, it said at the launch ceremony.
But Hong Kong still faces a “dilemma” — its infrastructure has some catching up to do to accommodate the increase in visitors, said Dane Cheng, the tourism board’s executive director.
“I think this dilemma, we have actually…
2023-02-05 22:36:13 Hong Kong to give away half a million air tickets to boost tourism
Post from www.cnbc.com
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong government has announced a plan to give away 500,000 budget airline tickets in a bid to revive the city’s economy by boosting tourism.
The tickets will be valid for travel over the next 12 months, with a discount of up to 35%. They will be available to residents of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as foreign visitors and travel agents.
The idea behind the campaign is to encourage locals and foreigners to visit attractions and revive businesses that rely on tourism, by providing discounted airline travel and improving access to the city.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also launched a range of packages and offers to boost domestic and overseas tourism, including discounts on hotel and restaurant stays, entertainment tickets and shopping vouchers.
The government hopes that the campaign will help to attract a greater number of visitors and reduce the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is believed that the half-million free tickets will be enough to bring an estimated 1.35 million people to the city. This should help to inject much-needed life into an otherwise stagnant tourism sector and bring in additional income.
The initiative is good news for those looking for a break in the city. With the cost of air travel dramatically reduced, it should no longer be a barrier to those wanting to explore Hong Kong’s unique attractions.
It’s great to see that the government is taking such a proactive approach to help stimulate the local economy by breathing new life into the tourism industry. With the availability of countless travel deals and discounts, one thing is certain: There has never been a better time to take a trip to Hong Kong.