Following Hong Kong, Macau also... Distributing 120,000 'Free Air Tickets'

Purpose of Attracting Tourists from China, Taiwan, and Overseas
Full Opening to China, Hong Kong, and Macao from the 6th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Following Hong Kong, Macau is also launching a free airfare campaign to attract tourists.

On the 4th, local media including Macau Daily reported that Macau tourism authorities announced plans the day before to provide 120,000 free air tickets to overseas tourists.

At a briefing that day, Macau Leisure and Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Wong Chi Wa stated, "This year, we will provide 120,000 free air tickets to attract tourists from mainland China, Taiwan, and overseas," adding, "Starting from mid to late this month, we will begin tourism promotion tours in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other cities, while also conducting tourism promotions and discount events targeting the Taiwan and Southeast Asian markets."

One day before Macau announced this plan, on the 2nd, Hong Kong declared that starting next month, it will offer 500,000 free air tickets to global tourists over six months as part of a massive HKD 2 billion (approximately KRW 311.7 billion) tourism campaign called 'Hello Hong Kong.'

China reopened its borders on the 8th of last month after closing them for three years due to COVID-19. Furthermore, starting from the 6th, China will lift quarantine regulations such as PCR testing and the daily traveler limit of 60,000 between mainland China and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, fully reopening human exchanges. Group tours between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau have also resumed, with mainland Chinese tourists visiting Macau for the first time in three years on the 3rd.

Immediately after the announcement of the full reopening of human exchanges between Hong Kong and Macau, searches for Hong Kong and Macau as destinations on online travel platforms in China surged more than threefold. Professor Zheng Guojin of Zhongshan University's Department of Tourism said, "With the resumption of group tours and an increase in mainland Chinese tourists, the hotel, food and beverage, shopping, and entertainment industries in Hong Kong and Macau will be revitalized."