Hong Kong Is Giving Away , 500,000 Free Airline Tickets , to Boost Tourism.
CNN reports that the government of Hong Kong has
announced a plan to give away 500,000 free airline
tickets in an effort to revive the tourism industry.
On February 2,
the "Hello Hong Kong"
initiative was unveiled.
CNN reports that the program
has been in development
for the past two years. .
Tickets will be split among the city's three
airlines, HK Express, Hongkong Airlines and
the nation's flag carrier, Cathay Pacific.
Tickets will be split among the city's three
airlines, HK Express, Hongkong Airlines and
the nation's flag carrier, Cathay Pacific.
In total, the 500,000 tickets cost
the government about $254.8 million.
Beginning on March 1, travelers interested in visiting
Hong Kong can go to the World of Winners splash page
to enter their names in the flight ticket lottery.
CNN reports that Hong Kong's pandemic
response was slow and cautious, with in-person
events being canceled as early as January 2020. .
Amid the pandemic, traveling to and from Hong Kong
was challenging and expensive in addition to strict quarantines
and testing requirements that were implemented.
Amid the pandemic, traveling to and from Hong Kong
was challenging and expensive in addition to strict quarantines
and testing requirements that were implemented.
CNN reports that Hong Kong
would see 56 million visitors in
a typical year prior to the pandemic. .
In 2022, the number of Hong Kong
tourists dropped to just about 100,000.