As it happened: Hong Kong leader plans 160,000 free airline tickets for locals, regional visitors in global face-off to boost ‘world’s freest economy’
- City will give away more than half a million airline tickets in all as part of global promotional drive
- Campaign highlights include series of major trade shows and conventions, as well as sports and arts events
Hong Kong is set to give away as many as 700,000 free airline tickets as part of a global promotional drive launched on Thursday to lure back visitors as the city paves the last mile of its return to pre-Covid normality.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu officiated at the launch ceremony of the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, worth at least HK$100 million (US$12.76 million) in the first phase, with the Airport Authority covering the costs of 500,000 airline tickets under a HK$2 billion relief package put in place three years ago for the aviation industry.
Other campaign highlights include a series of major trade shows and conventions, as well as sports and arts events, and existing annual drawcards such as the city’s marathon this month and the Rugby Sevens and Art Basel in March.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board will also work alongside local businesses on the campaign and offer visitors a range of perks, including free welcome drinks for those dining out at more than 100 restaurants and bars across the city.
To attract foreign investors, Lee will lead a delegation of business big guns to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this Saturday.
Our live blog covered the campaign’s launch and reactions from different sectors.
Reporting by Lilian Cheng, Elizabeth Cheung, Sammy Heung, Kahon Chan and Emily Hung