Hong Kong government has announced 500,000 free plane tickets for travelers all around the world under a campaign called ‘Hello Hong Kong’ to boost tourism in the city. The move comes after the city experienced a dip in tourism due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
The government is also offering goodies and vouchers to attract travelers to the city so they can experience its diverse culture.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau Ying Wah, has invited UAE residents as well. He said that people purchasing tickets from Dubai will be given free return tickets after the approval of the tourism board.
Hong Kong is spending over $254 million on the 500,000 tickets. It hopes to attract many travelers from UAE and the Middle East. Before the pandemic, Hong Kong received around 56 million tourists per year. By 2022, the number plummeted to 100,000.
Free tickets will be given by 3 of Hong Kong’s airlines, Cathay Pacific, HK Express, and Hong Kong Airlines. UAE tourists can enroll in the flight ticket lottery on the ‘World of Winners’ portal on Hong Kong Airport’s website from 1 March.
Tickets will be given in 3 phases, from 1 March in Southeast Asia, from 1 April in China, and from 1 May in the rest of the world.