Hong Kong to Distribute 500,000 Free Airline Tickets Worth 300 Billion Won to Tourists

300 Billion Won 'Hello Hong Kong' Campaign Launch
Available Through Airlines and Travel Agencies for 6 Months Starting Next Month 1st

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Hong Kong is launching a massive tourism campaign, including offering 500,000 free airline tickets to global tourists.

On the 2nd, John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced this plan at the launch event of the 'Hello Hong Kong' campaign held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 'Hello Hong Kong' campaign is expected to invest 2 billion Hong Kong dollars (approximately 311.7 billion KRW).

John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced the launch of the 'Hello Hong Kong' campaign to attract tourists at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 2nd.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Chief Executive Lee said, "As part of the campaign, we will provide 500,000 free airline tickets to tourists worldwide," adding, "It will be the world's largest welcome event." He also seemed mindful of COVID-19, saying, "There is no more isolation, quarantine, or restrictions to enjoy Hong Kong now," and extended an invitation saying, "See you in Hong Kong."

According to the Hong Kong Airport Authority, the distribution of free airline tickets will take place for about six months starting from the 1st of next month. The tickets will be provided through overseas offices and travel agencies of three Hong Kong airlines: Cathay Pacific, HK Express, and Hong Kong Airlines. Based on pre-COVID-19 tourist patterns, about three-quarters of the 500,000 tickets are expected to go to tourists from the Asia region. Authorities added, "The first target will be Southeast Asian tourists." Separately, the Hong Kong government plans to distribute 80,000 free airline tickets to Hong Kong residents as well.

This year, Hong Kong will host large-scale trade shows, exhibitions, sports, and arts events to actively welcome guests. The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced that more than 250 events, including about 100 international-level exhibitions, will be held this year. Along with this, more than 1 million tourism vouchers will be distributed. Tourists can enjoy various benefits such as free drinks and discounts at restaurants and bars through these vouchers.

Hong Kong's tourism industry is one of its four major industries but suffered severe stagnation after COVID-19. In 2019, the number of visitors to Hong Kong was 56 million, more than seven times the population of 7.5 million at the time. However, with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020 and the Hong Kong government's continued strict quarantine measures and entry restrictions, tourists almost completely disappeared. This was followed by a mass exodus of foreigners, especially in the financial sector, tired of the strict 'zero COVID' policy. As a result, Hong Kong's population decreased by 200,000, and last year, Hong Kong's economic growth rate recorded -3.5%. The number of tourists to Hong Kong dropped to 91,000 in 2021 but recovered to 605,000 last year, though it remains lower compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.