Hong Kong Announces Release of 700,000 Free Airline Tickets for Tourists

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee has unveiled a major HK$2 billion-plus campaign “Hello Hong Kong” on Thursday (Feb. 2), with the aim of increasing the number of visitors and bolstering business after COVID-19 curbs dropped in early 2023, in what Lee calls “probably the world’s biggest welcome ever”.

As part of the campaign to bring tourists back to the city, 500,000 free airline tickets will be given away to visitors and city residents, with the bulk of the tickets being distributed by Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, as well as travel agencies to international travellers.

Most of the tickets will be given to travellers in Asia; with departures from places such as mainland China, Japan, and Thailand. Some have been reserved for distribution to Europe and the United States. At least 10% of the 500,000 plane tickets will be reserved for Hong Kongers. All tickets given out will be for economy class.

Lee and over 100 guests were present for the launch of the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday to highlight more than 250 business, cultural and tourism events to come in 2023.

Dane Cheng Ting-yat, Executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said in the campaign that a many “reconnecting” events will be organised alongside giving out 500,000 free airline tickets as the “biggest welcome” for international tourists again.  

How to apply for free airline tickets to visit Hong Kong

The Airport Authority CEO Fred Lam Tin-Fuk announced on Tuesday that the 500,000 tickets giveaway program will begin on Mar. 1 and run for around six months. The tickets were procured by the authority in 2020 during the pandemic to help local airlines and attract visitors to the city.

Lam states that the tickets will be handed out through the airlines’ overseas offices and agents in major markets. This initiative is expected to bring 1.5 million extra visitors to Hong Kong over the course of six months, representing 10% of all travellers.

About three quarters of the tickets will be given away to Asian visitors and the promotion will first target Southeast Asian countries in March 2023, followed by Northeast Asian countries in April, then mainland China in May.

Additionally, 80,000 free air tickets will be given to Hong Kong citizens, while about another 80,000 will be given to Greater Bay Area visitors, bringing the total giveaway to 700,000 airline tickets.

Keep your eyes peeled on social media for more details on how to get your hands on free ticket straight to Hong Kong.