Hong Kong Flights: 500,000 Free Airline Tickets Up For Grabs From March In Bid To Enhance Tourism
Hong Kong is freely giving 500,000 airline tickets in an effort to woo vacationers again to the area.
The town has rolled again COVID journey restrictions in latest months together with necessary isolation on arrival.
Now it’s hoping to bounce again from the large affect the pandemic had on its tourism business. And a part of Hong Kong’s plan includes freely giving 500,00 airline tickets value greater than €250 million.
Again in October, government director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Dane Cheng advised the BBC that the free tickets have been initially purchased to assist airways throughout the pandemic.
On Wednesday (1 February), Hong Kong’s Chief Govt John Lee launched the $2 billion (€1.8 bn) ‘Whats up Hong Kong’ marketing campaign, with the flight ticket giveaway beginning on 1 March.
Hong Kong acquired 56 million guests in 2019 – over seven occasions its inhabitants – earlier than the pandemic started. However its strict COVID restrictions have saved guests away over the previous three years, devastating the tourism sector and its financial system. The town’s GDP final yr fell 3.5 per cent from 2021, based on the federal government’s provisional information.
Hong Kong is freely giving 500,000 airline tickets in an effort to woo vacationers again to the area.
The town has rolled again COVID journey restrictions in latest months together with necessary isolation on arrival.
Now it’s hoping to bounce again from the large affect the pandemic had on its tourism business. And a part of Hong Kong’s plan includes freely giving 500,00 airline tickets value greater than €250 million.
Again in October, government director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Dane Cheng advised the BBC that the free tickets have been initially purchased to assist airways throughout the pandemic.
On Wednesday (1 February), Hong Kong’s Chief Govt John Lee launched the $2 billion (€1.8 bn) ‘Whats up Hong Kong’ marketing campaign, with the flight ticket giveaway beginning on 1 March.
Hong Kong acquired 56 million guests in 2019 – over seven occasions its inhabitants – earlier than the pandemic started. However its strict COVID restrictions have saved guests away over the previous three years, devastating the tourism sector and its financial system. The town’s GDP final yr fell 3.5 per cent from 2021, based on the federal government’s provisional information.
How will Hong Kong’s free ticket scheme work?
The giveaway will begin on March 1 and final for about six months, with tickets distributed in phases.
The free tickets can be distributed by Hong Kong-based airways Cathay Pacific, HK Categorical and Hong Kong Airways, based on Fred Lam Tin-fuk, chief government officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong.
Tickets can be distributed step by step on the airways’ abroad platforms beginning with Southeast Asian international locations, adopted by mainland China and Northeastern Asia, based on Time Out Hong Kong.
An additional 80,000 free air tickets can be given to Hong Kong residents in the summertime, with one other 80,000 for these dwelling within the Higher Bay Space.
Guests also can take pleasure in particular presents and vouchers amongst different incentives within the metropolis.
A million vouchers value over HKD100 (€11.60) every will present reductions on meals, drinks, transport, accommodations, retail and sights. They are going to be distributed at vacationer inquiry counters situated at 4 border checkpoints from 5pm on 2 February, based on Time Out Hong Kong.
The town will even host greater than 250 occasions and festivals all through 2023, from the Hong Kong Marathon to the Clockenflap music competition, Artwork Basel and Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
What are the entry necessities for Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has had a few of the strictest guidelines for travellers all through the pandemic.
The town largely aligned itself with mainland China’s ‘zero-COVID’ technique and has relaxed its entry guidelines months slower than rivals resembling Singapore, Japan and Taiwan.
In September, necessary quarantine on arrival was dropped. However even after Hong Kong reopened its border with mainland China in January, tourism restoration was sluggish.
Now, the foundations have been relaxed additional. Guests not must self isolate on arrival, offering they take a look at adverse for COVID.
Inbound vacationers are topic to speedy antigen testing on arrival and once more on day 5 of their go to. In the event you take a look at constructive, you might be required to self isolate for 5 days in your resort or lodging.
Proof of vaccination can be required for these over 12 years previous, until you have got proof of medical explanation why you can’t be vaccinated.
Hong Kong residents who are usually not absolutely vaccinated will be capable to enter Hong Kong. Non-residents who are usually not absolutely vaccinated and have visited locations outdoors mainland China, Macao or Taiwan throughout the previous seven days, can be denied entry into Hong Kong.
To journey between Hong Kong and mainland China, a adverse PCR take a look at taken not more than 48 hours earlier than departure is required. If you’re travelling by way of land border management factors, you have to make a quota reserving on the HKSARG’s on-line reserving system. This isn’t required for air journey.
Virgin Atlantic stops flights to Hong Kong after 30 years
The closure of Russian airspace after the invasion of Ukraine means some airways gained’t be resuming providers to town.
Virgin Atlantic introduced in autumn that it could be closing its places of work in Hong Kong after 30 years. Flights to town have been suspended when the pandemic hit and had been on account of return as a part of the 2023 summer time schedule.
The provider made the choice to tug out of the Asian journey hub altogether. A number of components contributed to the choice together with the closure of Russian airspace including at the least an hour to journey occasions.
Prospects who had booked to journey to Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic from March 2023 have been supplied a refund, voucher or the choice to rebook on an alternate route with the airline.
Supply: Euronews
