30,000 Filipinos to get free tickets to Hong Kong
MANILA, Philippines — 30,000 free round-trip tickets to Hong Kong have been allocated to the Philippines, part of the Hong Kong government's rebranding campaign to boost the region's tourism efforts following COVID-19 isolation.
The "World of Winners" campaign is giving out 500,000 free flight tickets globally to encourage people to visit Hong Kong, which recently just lifted its mask mandate that lasted for three years.
135,000 of these economy-class tickets will be distributed to Southeast Asian markets, with the Philipines receiving most of the allocation given how popular Hong Kong is a destination for Filipinos.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority (AAHK) is teaming up with business partners for special offers like hotel accomodations, shopping options and entertainment activities.
Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines will be carrying the flights originating from the Philippines, with the former in charge of 20,400 of the 30,000 allocated for the country.
There are no blackout dates, but planned trips must be within the next nine months until the end of 2023.
The Philippines' participation in the campaign begins on March 3 at 12 noon through the websites of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines on a first come, first served basis; Cathay Pacific's country manager in the Philippines Donald Morris advises that interested individuals must sign up to be a member ahead of the date.
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Morris told Philstar.com that in Thailand, the first Southeast Asian country to participate in the "World of Winners" campaign, 40,000 people had to wait in a loading page on Cathay Pacific's website so Morris is anticipating more parties from the Philippines.
Signing up for the campaign will last until next week, after which winners will be informed that they have received one of the free tickets.
The news comes as the AAHK plans to turn the city airport into an airport city aptly named SKYCITY, with the goal of handling 120 million passengers and 10 million tons of cargo by 2035.
AAHK Chief Operating Officer Vivian Cheung shared that the Hong Kong airport is the #1 cargo airport in the world and the third busiest international airport.
Among the plans for SKYCITY is an area for commercial use including hotels, dining spaces, entertainment area, and an indoor arena for concerts and events.
The airport itself is getting a revamp with a third runway aimed to be completed by 2024 and smart technology to be applied in the different service sectors.
