Text and photos by Monsi A. Serrano
Yes, there’s no stopping Hong Kong now from welcoming international tourists as it officially launched the “World of Winners” global campaign.
Airport Authority Hong Kong officials are making rounds to inform the whole world that they are now welcome to the bustling and dazzling Hong Kong, and without a need to wear masks! What makes it more exciting is the tourism campaign’s bold and out-of-the-box campaign that offers 500,000 free tickets in Hong Kong’s major passenger markets for travelers to visit the city and experience its unique offerings.
This “World of Winners” campaign, a brainchild of Airport Authority Hong Kong is participated by Hong Kong’s three home-based airlines: Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines, and kicking off in March 2023 by giving away some 135,000 tickets in Southeast Asia markets, including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.
For the Philippines, 30,000 tickets are allocated for the residents via the three airlines’ promotional activities starting on March 3. After the Southeast Asia markets, the campaign will continue in Northeast Asia, Mainland China and other markets.
Tickets given away in the “World of Winners” campaign are all round-trip economy-class tickets. Travelers who get the free tickets will also receive from AAHK’s business partners special offers for hotel accommodation, shopping, and entertainment in Hong Kong.
Speaking to the media, Airport Authority Hong Kong Chief Operating Officer Vivian Cheung said, “Hong Kong has fully opened up and we are eager to welcome visitors from different parts of the world. Travelers visiting Hong Kong are no longer required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination nor undergo testing or quarantine upon arrival. And from today wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory in Hong Kong”, which was applauded by the media.
“At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the terminal has been extensively refurbished, with various new services and facilities providing passengers a brand new airport experience,” Cheung added.
AAHK endeavored in improving the airport’s facilities to further enhance the passenger experience. Sky Bridge, the world’s longest airside footbridge measuring 200-metre long, offers stunning views of the apron. While the luxury shopping zone at Terminal 1 has been renovated, housing over 40 renowned brands and three new iconic duplex stores. Apart from that, Hong Kong capitalizes on using smart technologies which have been extensively applied to different aspects of the airport’s service such as facial recognition technology which is adopted in the entire departure process to provide passengers with a seamless and hassle-free departure journey without the need of repeatedly producing documents for checking.
The free tickets were sponsored by AAHK in 2020 as part of a package of relief measures for Hong Kong’s aviation industry during the pandemic. Through the sponsorship, AAHK provided liquidity support to the home-based carriers up front, with a plan for airlines to use the tickets for promoting traffic recovery when the pandemic subsides.
HKIA is one of the busiest airports in the world and an international aviation hub, connecting with over 220 destinations worldwide by over 120 airlines. HKIA is also conveniently connected to the Greater Bay Area in Mainland China through land and sea transports.
Details of the “World of Winners” campaign can be found at https://wow.hongkongairport.com/lang/en/tickets.
