Hong Kong Is Giving Away 500,000 Free Flight Tickets As Its COVID-19 Restrictions Lift

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According to Reuters, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu launched the campaign yesterday, 2 February, during a momentous ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 'Hello Hong Kong' tourism campaign was launched in a bid to attract tourists, investors, and businesses to Hong Kong and promote the city's tourism.

Lee said that he hoped this campaign will be a catalyst in boosting business and investments in the Chinese special administrative region (SAR), after its tourist sector faced an economic downturn during the pandemic.

"Hong Kong is now connected to mainland China and the international world. There will be no isolation, no quarantine, and no restrictions [when] experiencing and enjoying the hustle and bustle of Asia's world city," he announced.

According to Time Out, tourists can expect to get their hands on the tickets via airline websites such as, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines.

The allocation period will last for six months and will begin distribution in Southeast Asian regions, followed by mainland China, and lastly to those in north-eastern regions.

An unspecified portion of tickets will also be extended to European and US travellers.

The Hong Kong tourism board reportedly purchased tickets from airline companies back in 2020 as its government-funded contribution to support the aviation sector.

In total, the government spent HKD2 billion (RM1.08 billion) for 500,000 flight tickets.