hong kong travel giveaway

U.S. Travelers Can Now Enter to Win Hong Kong Tourism’s Massive Flight Giveaway—Here’s How

500,000 flights are being given away to travelers from around the world..

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It’s about to be a lot cheaper to travel to Hong Kong—at least, if you’re one of the lucky winners.

Photo by Shutterstock

Hong Kong is offering 500,000 free flights to visitors in an effort to revive tourism after being mostly closed off to international travelers for nearly three years during the pandemic. The tickets have been doled out in phases. The initial batches were only available to Southeast Asia residents and then to those in mainland China. But now, North Americans are finally able to apply.

The giveaway is part of a recently launched Hong Kong Tourism campaign, titled “Hello, Hong Kong” —an effort to welcome back the 56 million travelers who visited the city annually prepandemic.

Here’s what you need to know about snagging a free airline ticket to Hong Kong.

How to get free and discounted airline tickets to Hong Kong

On May 17 at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST, contestants in the United States will be able to enter for their chance at one of the round-trip economy class tickets to Hong Kong. The tickets will be distributed through Cathay Pacific’s website, on a first-come, first-served basis. If they’re not already, customers need to first become a Cathay member (which is free ) and then visit the promotional page of the airline’s website to receive a promo code to book. (Our advice would be to go ahead and sign up for a Cathay account in advance of the giveaway.)

The flights to Hong Kong will be available from Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It’s unclear how many tickets are available—per a press release “a limited number” have been allotted for Americans.

Additional caveats include:

• Passengers will still need to pay airport fees, surcharges, and taxes on the tickets
• Only one ticket is available per transaction
• Customers must travel within the next nine months with a minimum stay of two days and a maximum stay of one month
• All tickets are non-transferable and non-exchangeable (and only the taxes and surcharges are refundable)

Other giveaways

In addition to the flight giveaway, Hong Kong is offering travelers “Hong Kong goodies,” a collection of freebies and vouchers that include their choice of:

• A welcome drink at more than 100 participating restaurants, bars, and hotels
• A cash voucher worth HK$100 (USD$12.75 currently), which can be used for dining and shopping
• An “exclusive gift” that will be provided to visitors at attractions and museums throughout the city

The vouchers are being distributed at the Hong Kong International Airport visitor center, Kowloon visitor center, and the Kong Kong West Kowloon station visitor center throughout 2023.

The effects of the pandemic on Hong Kong’s tourism sector

The airline ticket giveaway is part of a larger Hong Kong COVID relief package. During the early days of the pandemic, Hong Kong gave the airlines $255 million to stay afloat. Some of that money is now being used to supplement the flights.

While only 500,000 flights will be given away, Fred Lam, CEO of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, said, “We hope those who secure the air tickets can bring two or three more relatives and friends to the city. . . . We believe this can help bring Hong Kong over 1.5 million visitors.”

From 2020 until the end of 2022, Hong Kong largely aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero-COVID” strategy (an effort to keep the number of COVID cases as close to zero as possible). It eventually started to relax its entry rules, but at a slower pace than other Asian countries, such as Singapore , Japan , and Taiwan . The city only dropped the last of its COVID travel rules in late December 2022 (though masking indoors and on public transport is still mandatory).

Hong Kong received 56 million visitors in 2019—more than seven times its population—before the pandemic began. But its strict COVID-19 restrictions had a severe impact on visitor numbers over the past three years, devastating the tourism sector and its economy. Hong Kong’s 2022 visitor numbers were just 1 percent of the 2019 numbers, and the city’s GDP last year fell 3.5 percent compared to 2021, according to government data.

At the start of this year, Hong Kong finally dropped its mandatory hotel quarantine rule and PCR tests for incoming travelers, resulting in a slight increase in arrival figures.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Get ready to apply for free flights to Hong Kong as next phase in giveaway opens

Apr 28, 2023 • 4 min read

Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free round-trip airline tickets to international visitors Shutterstock

From temples to skyscrapers, museums and beautiful street markets, there are so many ways to enjoy Hong Kong . If you're really lucky, you might be able to do it for cheap- ish as the tourism board continues to give away free round-trip flights - leaving you with more money in the bag to enjoy all the good stuff Hong Kong has to offer.

The  Hong Kong Tourism Board is encouraging arrivals now that borders have opened by giving away half a million plane tickets to international visitors.

The first part of the campaign opened to residents across Southeast Asia on March 1. Then, on April 1, people living in mainland China were eligible to apply. Now the next phase - which opens on May 9 - will apply to people living in the UK. 

Details on when travelers from the US, Europe and elsewhere can apply have yet to be released but it's likely the competition will extend to them sometime in May.

How can I get a free airline ticket to Hong Kong?

If you're living in the UK, you can enter your name into the flight-ticket lottery on the Hong Kong Airport website , or register via Cathay Pacific's website from 9am (GMT) on May 9. According to the tourism board, tickets will be awarded through a lottery system, or on a first come, first serve basis and buy-one-get-one-free purchases, so nothing is guaranteed. It's the luck of the draw in most cases.

The campaign covers airfare on round-trip economy-class flights. It’s important to note that if you win, you'll still have to pay any related surcharges, fees and taxes.

The competition will stay open for about a week with the winners contacted on May 15. Details on when people from elsewhere in the world can take part should be announced in the coming weeks.

Why is this happening?

While Hong Kong ’s borders reopened in mid-January, the return of tourist arrivals has been sluggish. It was only in December that Hong Kong ended social distancing, mandatory proof of vaccination and testing requirements for international visitors after aligning itself with mainland China’s zero-COVID strategy during the pandemic.

Now, the tourism board hopes its plan, “Hello Hong Kong,” will entice visitors to return with up to 500,000 free round-trip airline tickets up for grab in what Hong Kong chief executive John Lee called “probably the world’s biggest welcome ever.”

All year long, events and festivals – such as  Art Basel and the Dragon Boat Festival – will take place, and visitors will be eligible for discounts on food, drink, attraction admissions, accommodation and transport.

What discounts can I receive?

Arriving tourists will receive a welcome pack when they land in Hong Kong Airport that will give them discounts across 1500 attractions and services in the city. 

In a statement, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said that at least 1 million “Hong Kong Goodies” vouchers of value over HK$100 each would be given out to visitors, covering a complimentary welcome drink at participating bars, restaurants and hotels, or a cash voucher that can be redeemed against costs for local transport, accommodation and tourist attractions.

You can collect your welcome pack with vouchers from tourist-information desks in the arrival hall of Hong Kong Airport, as well as at the visitor desks at West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station, Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Piers and the Hong Kong– Zhuhai – Macau Bridge.

If I do go to Hong Kong, what events should I plan to see?

Hong Kong has planned about 250 events and festivals to tie in with the tourism campaign. Highlights include the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival , the Hong Kong Open , the Dragon Boat Festival and the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens .

When it comes to art, you can see the largest retrospective of Yayoi Kusama’s work in Asia (outside Japan) at the newly opened M+ museum  (until September 2023). In July, the Palace Museum will host an opening exhibition featuring 900 pieces, some on loan from the Louvre in Paris and others on display for the first time.

Will this campaign give tourism the boost it needs in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong had been struggling to attract tourists even before the pandemic began. In 2019, the city was plunged into a recession after a series of widespread pro-democracy protests against the mainland government’s increasing control over civic life in Hong Kong brought the territory to a standstill. 

Police cracked down, often violently , and in 2020 China imposed a wide-ranging national security law that effectively silenced demonstrations and limited free speech. Hundreds of protestors, journalists and activists were arrested, including minors – and many visitors stayed away  as other countries issued travel advisories for Hong Kong, encouraging visitors to exercise caution when planning a trip there. In turn, Hong Kong received 10 million fewer tourists in 2019 compared to the previous year. When tourist expenditure stalled, related industries including retail and hospitality took a battering— small-business owners even took to social media  to appeal to people to visit their stores to keep businesses afloat.

Speaking at a press conference after the launch of “Hello Hong Kong,” Chief Executive John Lee said that Hong Kong is now ready to welcome tourists again. The city has removed inbound travel restrictions and the long-running mask mandate ended on March 1, though according to the UK Foreign Office, travelers should expect "greater scrutiny from mainland authorities at border crossings between the mainland and Hong Kong at this time".

Whether the campaign will generate enough interest to bring tourism back to pre-2019 levels remains to be seen.

This article was first published Feb 28, 2023 and updated Apr 28, 2023.

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As the home carrier of Hong Kong, we proudly supported the “World of Winners” Ticket Offers campaign to invite travellers worldwide to discover the beauty of our beloved home city.

Between March and September 2023, we successfully distributed round-trip tickets in phases to all origins starting from Southeast Asia, followed by the Chinese Mainland, Northeast Asia, and other medium to long-haul markets and concluded with Taiwan China.

The journey continues this year, and we can’t wait to bring our winners to Hong Kong to discover all that our incredible city has to offer.

Taiwan China

Chinese mainland, greater bay area, south africa, united kingdom, switzerland, united states, new zealand, united arab emirates, philippines.

Hong Kong to Give Away 500,000 Free Airline Tickets for Tourists: How to Enter

By Jason Cochran

02/03/2023, 9:00 PM

Hong Kong , one of the most fascinating and coolest cities on the planet, has had a rough time of things lately.

The city, which was largely built by heady colonialism and international exchange but is increasingly under the control of Beijing politicians, has faced dire scenarios in the political, epidemiological, and economic realms. Smashed hard by the pandemic and the reactions to it, Hong Kong only recently recovered enough from its troubles to admit foreign tourists without a lengthy quarantine period.

To try to entice visitors back to the city, Hong Kong is using US $250 million of its Covid relief funds to give away some 500,000 free round-trip airline tickets to travelers.

"This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world’s biggest welcome ever," said the city's chief executive, John Lee, during the announcement.

The free ticket giveaway will be happen in stages, with locals from Asia (a core tourism market for Hong Kong) prioritized first.

On March 1, people in Southwest Asia can apply. Starting April 1, mainland China becomes eligible as an origin. 

Not until May 1 will residents from outside Asia be allowed to apply for the free tickets, along with people from Northeast Asia—so mark your calendar.

Authorities have not announced how many tickets will be set aside for each region.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority will cover the cost of airfare for selected winners—although passengers, if selected, must pay for taxes and fees themselves.

To learn the rules, visit the official information webpage , which will furnish additional details for each region in turn as the dates arrive.

Applicants will be able to apply for the free flights through the three participating airlines: Cathay Pacific , Hong Kong Airlines (which covers mostly Asian destinations), and HK Express (which also doesn't fly to North America or Europe, so it won't be of use to travelers from there).

Not everyone who applies will come away with a free flight. Instead, free tickets "will be given away by different type of activities such as lucky draw, first-come-first-served, or 'Buy 1 or more—Get 1 Free,' as arranged by the participating airlines depending on airlines’ plan and local regulations," the announcement said. "Further details will be provided by the respective airlines on their websites when launching the ticket giveaway activities."

Other destinations have announced smaller but similar subsidy programs for tourists, but to be honest, in most cases, their execution has turned out to be a mixed bag. In past cases, we have struggled to hear about any reports of success. So let's hope that deep-pocketed Hong Kong, which created itself as one of the most awe-inspiring urban environments the world has ever seen, has enough élan to actually pull this off.

It would certainly make a difference to residents of North America, where normal economy airfare to Hong Kong can easily set you back $1,500.

This time, I'm hoping to hear plenty of success stories from deserving winners, making this more than a headline-grabbing publicity stunt.

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Here's How To Get One Of The 500,000 Free Air Tickets That Hong Kong Is Giving Out

Hong Kong is going all out to welcome tourists back, with the government set to give out 500,000 free air tickets to bring the tourists back to the city.

As part of a global “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to revive tourism, the 500,000 free air tickets will be given out from March 1, and will be distributed by Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines.

The ticket giveaway will take place over three phases. The first phase commences March 1 and is open to Southeast Asia. Yes, that’s us in Singapore , so pencil that in, stat (don’t say we bojio). The second phase in April is open to Mainland China, and the third phase is in May where tickets will be given away to Northeast Asia and other medium to long haul markets. Hong Kong residents won’t be missing out either — outbound tickets from Hong Kong will be available in July.

Tickets given away are round-trip Economy Class tickets to and from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines or Hong Kong Express. While tix are sponsored by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, all surcharges, fees and taxes will be borne by ticket winners.  

To try your luck at snagging free tix, go to this website from March 1.

Tickets will be given away by way of various promotional activities, including lucky draws, first-come-first-served or buy-one-get-one-free campaigns, according to the contest website.

To further entice travellers back to Hong Kong, there are at least one million visitor consumption vouchers given out. Known as “Hong Kong Goodies”, these cover complimentary welcome drinks at participating F&B outlets and hotels, or cash vouchers that can be redeemed in transportation, culinary, retail sectors as well as attractions. A total of over 16,000 outlets across HK are participating.

Photo: Unsplash/Connor Wang

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Hong Kong is giving away 30,000 round-trip tickets – here’s how to get them

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

TRAVEL. People line up at a check-in counter inside Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport, in Hong Kong on January 2, 2023.

Vernon Yuen/NurPhoto/Reuters

MANILA, Philippines – Tens of thousands of free round-trip tickets to Hong Kong are up for grabs for Filipinos starting Friday, March 3.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is set to launch its “World of Winners” global ticket giveaway campaign, offering a total of 500,000 free tickets to travelers.

As part of the campaign, the AAHK will give away around 135,000 tickets in Southeast Asian markets, including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, with 30,000 tickets allocated for residents in the Philippines.

The tickets for the campaign will be distributed by Hong Kong’s three home-based airlines: Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines.

Cathay Pacific will handle the bulk of the tickets for the Philippines, distributing around 20,400 tickets.

Here are the steps to get a chance to win a free ticket:

• Visit the “World of Winners” website of the AAHK.
• Select “Philippines” as your departure location.
• Select a ticket from either Cathay Pacific or Hong Kong Airlines.
• Follow further sign-up instructions for the airline chosen.

Donald Morris, country manager for Cathay Pacific Philippines, advised those choosing Cathay Pacific to sign up on the airline’s website ahead of time, as he expects “the website would be quite overwhelmed” come Friday.

Once the giveaway starts on Friday, Cathay Pacific users will be asked to answer a three-question quiz on the airline’s website before being given a chance to win a ticket. The winners will be announced at a later date.

All tickets to be given away in the campaign are round-trip economy-class tickets. Travelers who receive these tickets will also be entitled to special offers for hotel accommodation, shopping, and entertainment in Hong Kong from the AAHK’s partner businesses.

“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 have received COVID-19 vaccination or undergo testing or quarantine upon arrival. And from today, wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory in Hong Kong,” AAHK Chief Operating Officer Vivian Cheung said on Wednesday, March 1.

The AAHK began sponsoring free tickets in 2020 as part of pandemic relief measures for Hong Kong’s aviation industry. – Rappler.com

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Hong Kong Is Giving Away 500,000 Free Plane Tickets

The government hopes to boost tourism in the wake of the pandemic and civil unrest

Molly Enking

Daily Correspondent

Hong Kong implemented some of the world’s strictest safety protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the tourism board hopes a new plan, called “Hello Hong Kong,” will entice visitors to come flooding back. Over the next six months, Hong Kong will give away 500,000 free round-trip airline tickets to tourists, the government announced in a statement . 

John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong, unveiled the giveaway at a launch event earlier this month. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world’s biggest welcome ever,” he told the crowd, per the Washington Post ’s Joyce Lau .

The tickets will be available via three airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express. According to CNN ’s Lilit Marcus, the arrangement will cost the government approximately $250 million.

If you’re hoping to snag a free trip, patience is key. Tickets will be released via lottery in three waves: Starting in March, travelers in Southeast Asia can apply, followed by residents of mainland China in April. The giveaway will open to other countries around the world beginning in May. 

Finally, a small portion of the tickets will go to Hong Kong residents traveling elsewhere, reports Condé Nast Traveller ’s Connor Sturges. The tourism board will also be giving out vouchers for visitors to use toward food, drinks or public transportation.

The giveaway is tied to a pandemic relief package from 2020, when the government purchased the tickets in an effort to keep the free-falling travel industry afloat. Now it’s using those purchases to help jumpstart tourism. 

Even before the pandemic, tourism had declined due to civil unrest in the region. In 2019, Hong Kong saw widespread pro-democracy demonstrations protesting the erosion of the Chinese territory’s autonomy. The following year, China imposed a national security law giving authorities “wide latitude to criminalize speech and stifle dissent in a territory once known for its independent courts and freewheeling legislature and newspapers,” write the New York Times ’ Mike Ives and Zixu Wang. Many who were arrested are now standing trial .

About 65 million travelers came to Hong Kong in 2018, according to the Washington Post . In 2019, amid protests and government crackdowns, only 56 million visitors arrived. That number dropped to less than 100,000 in 2021, then rose to 600,000 in 2022.

Fred Lam, the CEO of Hong Kong’s airport authority, thinks the giveaway could have a cascading effect, encouraging other travelers to purchase tickets. “We hope those who received the tickets will bring two to three more friends and family with them,” he said at the launch event, per CNBC ’s Vivian Kam.

​​Gary Ng, an economist at Natixis, told the Washington  Post that the new scheme is a “good start,” but its success will depend on whether travelers find Hong Kong to be an enticing destination.

Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Molly Enking | READ MORE

Molly Enking is a writer, editor and producer based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work can be found in Wired , Rolling Stone , PBS NewsHour, Grist , Gothamist and others. She covers health disparities, space, the environment, scientific discoveries and oddities, food and travel, as well as how art, pop culture and history impact the way we view the world. 

Thank you for your support, all tickets * for this campaign have been awarded!

Frequently Asked Questions

Campaign information.

• What is the travel period for the free tickets departing from Hong Kong? Travel period of the free tickets is from 15 January, 2024 to 11 July, 2024. Travellers need to complete the travel by 11 July, 2024.
• Which flight routes can I select for the free tickets? You can choose the round-trip ticket origin from Hong Kong SAR to Tokyo (Narita), Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Kansai), Fukuoka, Nagoya, Takamatsu, Kagoshima, Okinawa, Seoul (Incheon), Busan, Jeju, Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Phuket.
• Can I change the origin or destination of the free tickets? Changes to the origin or destination of the free tickets are not permitted.
• Can I choose a different origin for the outbound flight and the destination of the inbound flight? No, for both inbound and outbound flights, the origin and destination must be the same.
• Can I change the passenger’s name? When booking a ticket, travellers must provide their names as they appear on the valid travel document and ensure the provided name is accurate and aligned with their passport.
• Can I change the date / time of my flights? Change to the date/ time of free tickets is subject to a rebooking fee of HKD580 per person per segment, and fare difference (including tax and surcharges) might apply. Rebooking shall be made via “Manage My Booking” ( https://booking.hkexpress.com/en-us/manage/login)  on HK Express’ website.
• Can I book tickets for my companion(s) during the Tickets Giveaway Campaign? The Tickets Giveaway Campaign is only applicable to individual adult (12 years old or above) ticket bookings. If you have travel companion(s), please book their tickets. As ticket and seat bookings are first-come, first-served, we cannot guarantee that the winner and their companions can book on the same flight or adjacent seats. If the only companion is a child (2-11 years old) or an infant (under two years old who does not occupy a seat), please get in touch with the Customer Connect team to book the child or infant ticket after receiving your booking confirmation email. Please ensure that the age of children or infants still qualifies on the travel date.
• Can I sit with my companion(s)? Seat selection is optional. If you do not choose your seat in advance, one will be assigned to you upon check-in. If you would like to guarantee a specific seat, we encourage you to do so during booking, and the related fee will be charged according to the choice of seat option.
• How can I confirm that my booking for a free ticket is successful? Once you receive a booking confirmation email at the address you provided, your booking is considered successful.
• Are the free tickets transferable or exchangeable for cash? The free tickets are neither transferable nor exchangeable for cash.
• Are taxes, surcharges and any other fees included in the free tickets? According to the Terms & Conditions, the passenger shall pay all taxes, surcharges, and any other fees applicable to the tickets.
• Can I cancel my flight after receiving booking confirmation? Will I receive a refund? The free tickets won from the Campaign are not refundable, reroutable, or transferable. If your departure flight originates from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Airport Departure Tax, Passenger Security Charge, and the Airport Construction Fee may be refunded upon request. Departure taxes will be refunded subject to local regulations. All applications are subject to approval, with a processing time of approximately six to eight weeks from the date of the request.
• Can I purchase additional baggage allowance, inflight meals, U-First or seat selections after receiving the booking confirmation? If you wish to purchase or amend related additional services for your booking, please go to the Manage My Booking page, enter your PNR and passenger name, and complete the purchase by making the payment.
• Can I rebook if I miss the flight stated on my booking? If you miss the flights booked through the Campaign, it will be considered as forfeiture of the winning tickets, and rebooking will not be permitted.
• Why there are tickets available for purchase on your website but not available for booking in this campaign website? The campaign is based on a first-come, first-served mechanism. Tickets are on a bookable basis under the designated fare subclass: F Class from the Fun Fare category and are subject to embargo periods and seat availability. Tickets are limited and based on the system record. There are variations to the number of seats for the designated fare subclass that are allocated to a particular flight, and it could be fully booked although seats may still be available in other fare subclasses in the same cabin class of travel.

Campaign objective

• What is the purpose of organising the Tickets Giveaway Campaign ? To welcome visitors from around the world to Hong Kong, this will distribute free tickets to tourists, giving them a chance to explore Hong Kong’s vibrant cityscapes. Besides, it also gives away free tickets departure from Hong Kong to residents who ordinarily residing in Hong Kong SAR, encouraging them to experience the joy of travel via flying to worldwide destinations.

Background information

• Who is the organiser of the campaign? Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is sponsoring the air tickets in this for tourists worldwide and residents who ordinarily residing in Hong Kong SAR, while HK Express will be giving away the air tickets on a first-come-first-served basis.
• What are the details of this Tickets Giveaway? The first-come-first-served Tickets Giveaway Campaign, hosted by HK Express will distribute 19,597 FUN Fare category air tickets (excluding taxes, surcharges, and other related fees) to residents who ordinarily residing in Hong Kong. Participants can fly from Hong Kong to 13 destinations in Asia.

Join the campaign

• What kind of information do I need to submit to participate in the Campaign? 1) Full name as it appears on your passport (for the issuance of air tickets) 2) Date of birth as it appears on your passport 3) Contact email address and mobile number
• How do I participate in the Campaign? Participants should select the preferred destination and travel period using the search engine on this campaign site. After choosing flights, you should enter accurate personal information and select any desired ancillary products. Lastly, you need to confirm booking details and make the payment. Upon receiving the booking confirmation email, your booking is done.
• Is there any age limited for participating in this Campaign? Participants must be at least 12 years old to join the Campaign.
• How many free tickets can each participant win? Each participant is entitled to get one complimentary round-trip ticket during the entire Tickets Giveaway Campaign.
• Can I choose the origin or destination of the air tickets? You can choose the destination of the air tickets. The destination of the outbound flight and the origin of the inbound flight must be the same.
• Will my personal details provided for the campaign be kept secure? Will they be transferred for other purposes? All personal data collected by HK Express during booking will be used only for purposes related to the Tickets Giveaway Campaign and will comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong and any applicable data privacy laws. Certain personal data collected during registration may be disclosed or transferred to the HKIA for auditing purpose. For the company's privacy policy, please refer to: https://www.hkexpress.com/en-hk/need-help/privacy-policy/ .

*Tickets will be given away via a first-come-first-served mechanism based on the system record. Limited availability, terms and conditions apply,  please click here for details.

Copyright © 2024 Hong Kong Express Airways Limited.

[COLUMN] God within us

[column] dealing with assets omitted in a divorce case, a california medical group treats only homeless patients — and makes money doing it, how is ai threatening ethnic voters.

Proposal to expand LA County Board of Supervisors could create special AAPI district

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Hong kong welcomes international tourists with air tickets giveaway.

(March 2023) – Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is launching a global air tickets giveaway campaign, “World of Winners”, which will offer 500,000 free  tickets in Hong Kong’s major passenger markets for travelers to visit the city and  experience its unique offerings.

Distributed in phases by Hong Kong’s three home-based airlines: Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines, the campaign is 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. About 30,000 tickets will be given to residents in the  Philippines via the three airlines’ promotional activities starting from 3 March. 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.

“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 have received Covid-19 vaccination, or undergo testing or quarantine upon  arrival. And from today wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory in Hong  Kong. 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,” says Vivian Cheung, Chief Operating Officer of AAHK.

AAHK has spared no effort in improving the airport’s facilities to further enhance  passenger experience. Sky Bridge, the world’s longest airside footbridge  measuring 200-metre long, offers stunning views of the apron. The luxury  shopping zone at Terminal 1 has been renovated, housing over 40 renowned  brands and three new iconic duplex stores. Smart technologies have been  extensively applied to different aspects of the airport’s service. For example, facial  recognition technology is adopted in the entire departure process to provide  passengers 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 upfront,  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 “World of Winners” campaign can be found at  https://wow.hongkongairport.com/lang/en/tickets .

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OCBC Hong Kong and Time Out competition rules

Competitions rules

COMPETITION RULES

THIS COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY…

WHAT'S THE PRIZE?

In collaboration with OCBC, we are offering the St. Regis Ritual Journey package at The St. Regis Macao to six (6) winners. Each winner will receive a gift certificate, which includes a one-night stay at The St. Regis Macao Deluxe Room, breakfast for two at The Manor, and an exquisite afternoon tea experience for two at The St. Regis Bar. The prize package is available for booking from September 1 to 27, 2024 (except Macau public holidays, eves, and blackout dates, September 14 to 17).

This prize is referred to as the Prize Package in these rules.

👉  There are a few conditions which apply to this Competition and Prize Package:

• This gift certificate is valid only at The St. Regis Macao and must be presented before use.
• Advanced reservation is required and confirmation is subject to availability, please indicate that this gift certificate will be redeemed during reservation. Redemption details will be shared with the winners.
• This gift certificate is valid from September, 1, 2024, and expires on September 27, 2024. It is not applicable during Macau public holidays and eve, as well as blackout dates (September 14 - September 17, 2024) designated by The St. Regis Macao.
• This gift certificate must be redeemed on or before the expiry date as stipulated on this voucher. Expired vouchers will not be accepted, refunded, or reissued.
• This gift certificate cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers and discounts.
• This gift certificate is non-refundable and non-transferrable, and may not be redeemed for cash, sold or exchanged for any other products or services.
• Lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed Certificate is neither reclaimable nor refundable with or without proof.
• The St. Regis Macao reserves the right to change the terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. In case of dispute, the decision of The St. Regis Macao shall be final.

WHEN CAN I ENTER THE COMPETITION?

Start Date: 6:00 pm on July 24 , 2024

End Date: 6:00 pm on July 31, 2024

HOW DO I ENTER?

Step 1) Follow @timeouthk and @OCBC_HK on Instagram.

Step 2) Like the contest photo

Step 3) Tag the person you want to share this giveaway with 

Step 4) Tell us about your favourite afternoon tea treat and Macau street food in one to two sentences. We will judge this based on your creativity; the most creative answer wins!

Step 5) The same contest will run simultaneously on Time Out Hong Kong and OCBC Bank Hong Kong's Instagram accounts, so fans can participate using the same guidelines on their feed.

👉 By uploading your entry, you understand that you are entering the Competition and agree to these Competition rules.

WHO CAN ENTER?

The Competition is open to all Hong Kong residents over the age of 18, except employees of Time Out, its agents, contractors and their family members.  The winner must be aged 18 or over - you will not be eligible for the Prize Package if you are under 18. You can only enter once - multiple entries will not be accepted. 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Competition is a game of skill, and the winner will be judged by a panel of 2 judges, which will be comprised of Time Out’s editorial team (the “ Judges ”). The Judges will select  the entry with the most creative answer (“the Winner ”).  The winner will be selected by the Judges and will be notified by Time Out by Instagram direct messaging within 5 days of the End Date. If you are a winner, you agree to participate in publicity which may include having your photograph taken for promotional and press purposes. 

OTHER RULES

• Time Out reserves the right to exclude any entry from the Competition at any time if it has a reason to believe that the entrant has breached any of the rules. 
• All entries must be submitted by the original writer of the entry. 
• All entries considered inappropriate or offensive by Time Out will be disqualified. 
• The winner will be notified by Time Out using the contact information submitted in the winner’s entry. The winner may be required to produce their original IC / passport with legible ic / passport number in order to claim the Prize Package. The winner may also be required to produce additional original proof of identity at the discretion of Time Out. Any winner who is not contactable or who fails to return contact within 72 hours of notification will be disqualified, in which case the winner forfeits their right to the prize, no compensation will be given and a reserve entrant will be selected at random as an alternative winner. 
• The Prize Package is non-negotiable, non-transferable and non-refundable. 
• In the event of unforeseen circumstances Time Out reserves the right to substitute the Prize Package for an alternative of equal or greater value. 
• By entering the Competition, all entrants consent to the processing of their personal data by Time Out for the purposes of administration of this Competition. 
• Any winners’ details shared by Time Out will be limited to first name and country only, in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations in Hong Kong.  
• Copyright in all entries submitted for this Competition remains with the respective entrants. However, entrants agree that by submitting an entry to the Competition, they grant Time Out a royalty free, perpetual irrevocable worldwide licence to use and republish their entry. This includes sharing the entry through social media and publication by Time Out worldwide in any of their publications, their websites and/or in any promotional material. 
• Time Out accepts no liability for any loss or damage however caused, including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss or damage or personal injury (with the exception of death or personal injury caused by Time Out’s own negligence) suffered or sustained in connection with the Prize Package.
• OCBC shall not be held liable for any disputes arising from or related to the competition hosted by Time Out.
• If an act, omission, event or circumstance occurs which is beyond the reasonable control of Time Out which prevents Time Out from complying with these rules, Time Out will not be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performing its obligations. Time Out reserves the right to modify, delay, postpone or cancel the Competition in the event of circumstances outside of its reasonable control. 
• This Competition and these rules are governed by the laws of Hong Kong. 
• The Competition promoter is Time Out Hong Kong Company Limited of 25/F Arion Commercial Centre 2- 12 Queen’s Road West Sheung Wan, Hong Kong and all references to Time Out means Time Out Hong Kong Company Limited. Time Out has the right to license any rights granted to Time Out to its associated companies and licensees.

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It’s coming! Stay Tuned for Our Tickets Giveaway! Sponsored by Hong Kong International Airport

Gotta Go with our “Fly and Shine” tickets giveaway! HK Express is giving away free round-trip flight tickets *  to Chinese Mainland residents, sponsored by Hong Kong International Airport at the start of 2024. These tickets will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. Travel to Hong Kong international Airport via multiple intermodal services and enjoy direct flights to numerous fascinating destinations across Asia. Keep an eye on this webpage and HK Express's official social media pages for the latest updates.

Campaign Period :17 (starting at 10am) January – 19 January 2024

* Tickets sponsored by Hong Kong International Airport, excluding taxes, surcharges, and other fees. Passengers are responsible for all related fees. Tickets will be given away via a first-come-first-served mechanism based on the system record. Each participant can only win up to one round-trip ticket. Limited availability, terms and conditions apply. Please click here for details.

How to prepare for the tickets release day?

Select destination and travel period in the search bar on the designated activity page *

* Only applicable for round-trip ticket and single person booking.

Select your preferred flights and provide personal information * to confirm your eligibility.

* Tips for winning free tickets: Prepare the passenger's name, contact number, and email address to expedite the booking process.

Choose additional services (Checked baggage, seat, inflight meal and U-First), confirm ticket details and pay.

Enjoy extra 20% discount ^ when adding 20kg of checked baggage during the initial booking of this campaign.

^ Terms and conditions apply.

Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email with your itinerary details. Gotta Go to Fly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Campaign information.

•  What is the travel period for the free tickets departing from Hong Kong? Travel period of the free tickets is from 22 January, 2024 to 11 July, 2024. Travellers need to complete the travel by 11 July, 2024.
• Which flight routes can I select for the free tickets? You can choose the round-trip ticket origin from Hong Kong SAR to Tokyo (Haneda) / Osaka (Kansai) / Fukuoka / Nagoya / Takamatsu / Kagoshima / Okinawa / Seoul (Incheon) / Busan / Jeju / Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) / Phuket / Chiang Mai / Da Nang / Taipei / Taichung / Kaohsiung.
• Who are the eligible participants? A. Eligible Participants (“Participants”) must be a person ordinarily residing in Chinese Mainland who (i) hold a valid travel document; (ii) have a valid email address; (iii) have a valid Chinese phone number; and (iv) have attained the age of 12 at the time of booking. B. Participants who have successfully won or booked tickets under the Tickets Giveaway Campaign organized by HK Express in/for the other regions are also not eligible to participate in this Tickets Giveaway Campaign.
• Can I change the origin or destination of the free tickets? Changes to the origin or destination of the free tickets are not permitted.
• Can I choose a different origin for the outbound flight and the destination of the inbound flight? No, for both inbound and outbound flights, the origin and destination must be the same.
• Can I change the passenger’s name? When booking a ticket, travellers must provide their names as they appear on the valid travel document and ensure the provided name is accurate and aligned with their passport.
• Can I change the date / time of my flights? Change to the date/ time of free tickets is subject to a rebooking fee of HKD580 per person per segment, and fare difference (including tax and surcharges) might apply. Rebooking shall be made via “Manage My Booking” on HK Express’ website.( https://booking.hkexpress.com/en-us/manage/login)  
• Can I book tickets for my companion(s) during the Tickets Giveaway Campaign? The Tickets Giveaway Campaign is only applicable to individual adult (12 years old or above) ticket bookings. If you have travel companion(s), please book their tickets. As ticket and seat bookings are first-come, first-served, we cannot guarantee that the winner and their companions can book on the same flight or adjacent seats. If the only companion is a child (2-11 years old) or an infant (under two years old who does not occupy a seat), please get in touch with the Customer Connect team to book the child or infant ticket after receiving your booking confirmation email. Please ensure that the age of children or infants still qualifies on the travel date.
• Can I sit with my companion(s)? Seat selection is optional. If you do not choose your seat in advance, one will be assigned to you upon check-in. If you would like to guarantee a specific seat, we encourage you to do so during booking, and the related fee will be charged according to the choice of seat option.
• How can I confirm that my booking for a free ticket is successful? Once you receive a booking confirmation email at the address you provided, your booking is considered successful.
• Are the free tickets transferable or exchangeable for cash? The free tickets are neither transferable nor exchangeable for cash.
• Are taxes, surcharges and any other fees included in the free tickets? According to the Terms & Conditions, the passenger shall pay all taxes, surcharges, and any other fees applicable to the tickets.
• Can I cancel my flight after receiving booking confirmation? Will I receive a refund? The free tickets won from the Campaign are non-refundable, non-reroutable, or non-transferable. If your departure flight originates from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Airport Departure Tax, Passenger Security Charge, and the Airport Construction Fee may be refunded upon request. Departure taxes will be refunded subject to local regulations. All applications are subject to approval, with a processing time of approximately six to eight weeks from the date of the request.
• Can I purchase additional baggage allowance, inflight meals, U-First or seat selections after receiving the booking confirmation? If you wish to purchase or amend related additional services for your booking, please go to the Manage My Booking page, enter your PNR and passenger name, and complete the purchase by making the payment.
• Can I rebook if I miss the flight stated on my booking? If you miss the flights booked through the Campaign, it will be considered as forfeiture of the winning tickets, and rebooking will not be permitted.
• Why there are tickets available for purchase on your website but not available for booking in this campaign website? The campaign is based on a first-come, first-served mechanism. Tickets are on a bookable basis under the designated fare subclass: F Class from the Fun Fare category and are subject to embargo periods and seat availability. Tickets are limited and based on the system record. There are variations to the number of seats for the designated fare subclass that are allocated to a particular flight, and it could be fully booked although seats may still be available in other fare subclasses in the same cabin class of travel.

Campaign objective

• What is the purpose of organising the Tickets Giveaway Campaign ? To encourage the joy of travel, this campaign will give away free tickets with departure from Hong Kong to tourists who ordinarily residing in Chinese Mainland.

Background information

• Who is the organiser of the campaign? Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is sponsoring the air tickets in this campaign for tourists who ordinarily residing in Chinese Mainland, while HK Express will be giving away the air tickets on a first-come-first-served basis.
• What are the details of this Tickets Giveaway? The first-come-first-served Tickets Giveaway Campaign, hosted by HK Express will distribute 20,756 FUN Fare category air tickets (excluding taxes, surcharges, and other related fees) to residents who ordinarily residing in Chinese Mainland. Participants can fly from Hong Kong to 17 destinations in Asia.

Join the campaign

• What kind of information do I need to submit to participate in the Campaign? 1) Full name as it appears on your passport (for the issuance of air tickets) 2) Date of birth as it appears on your passport 3) Contact email address and mobile number in Chinese Mainland
• How do I participate in the Campaign? Participants should select the preferred destination and travel period using the search engine on this campaign site. After choosing flights, you should enter accurate personal information and select any desired ancillary products. Lastly, you need to confirm booking details and make the payment. Upon receiving the booking confirmation email, your booking is done.
• Is there any age limited for participating in this Campaign? Participants must be at least 12 years old to join the Campaign.
• How many free tickets can each participant win? Each participant is entitled to get one complimentary round-trip ticket during the entire Tickets Giveaway Campaign.
• Can I choose the origin or destination of the air tickets? You can choose the destination of the air tickets. The destination of the outbound flight and the origin of the inbound flight must be the same.
• Will my personal details provided for the campaign be kept secure? Will they be transferred for other purposes? All personal data collected by HK Express during booking will be used only for purposes related to the Tickets Giveaway Campaign and will comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong and any applicable data privacy laws. Certain personal data collected during registration may be disclosed or transferred to the HKIA for auditing purpose. For the company's privacy policy, please refer to: https://www.hkexpress.com/en-hk/need-help/privacy-policy/ .

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Longer visa-free visits to Thailand will attract Hong Kong business, tourists, despite killings

• AseanPlus News

Saturday, 20 Jul 2024

Related News

Joe Biden drops out of US presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris - a SCMP special report

The next 10 years: tsinghua university’s yan xuetong talks trump, taiwan and what it means for china, kamala harris now the focus of unprecedented shake-up in us election campaign.

Thailand’s decision to extend the duration of visa-free visits for Hong Kong residents will strengthen business ties and attract more people from the financial hub to the country, despite a murder-suicide involving six people in Bangkok, industry leaders have said.

They insisted on Wednesday that the deaths would not deter people from visiting the country.

Anthony Lam Sai-ho, the executive deputy chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, welcomed the move and said the extended visa arrangement would benefit Hong Kong businesses that operated in the southeast Asian nation.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

He was speaking after Thailand on Monday announced visa-free entry for 93 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, had been extended from up to 30 days to 60 days.

The change was made in a bid to boost the country’s tourism industry.

“Many of our members operate factories in Thailand and have to meet clients, ensure machinery is operating properly or stay long-term to conduct training in the factories,” Lam said.

The businessman, also the CEO of food production company Golden Resources Development International, said that Thailand was a well-developed manufacturing centre with strong ties to Hong Kong.

“Many Hong Kong businesses in industries such as automobiles, textile and food production work closely with Thai businesses,” Lam added.

Tiffie Cheung Hoi-tung, a digital marketing professional in her thirties, said the visa extension would make it easier for her to work and travel in Thailand.

Cheung has had two two-month-long stints working remotely from Thailand since she embarked on her nomadic lifestyle two years ago.

She said she paid 1,900 baht (US$53) to extend her visa on her first trip and did a visa run to a neighbouring country on her second.

“The extension to 60 days makes it a lot more convenient for me to travel and work as it gives me more time to settle down, and rent for accommodation over a longer period of time is also more value for money,” Cheung added.

She was drawn to the northern Thai city because of the low cost of living, which she said was a quarter of that in Hong Kong.

“As I work Mondays to Fridays and can only travel on the weekends, a longer stay is better for me,” Cheung said.

Roger Hu Wai-chung, a Hongkonger who has lived in Thailand for 20 years, said the new measure would benefit people with relatives in the country or retirees who enjoyed spending time in Thailand.

“With more than 70 provinces, the longer stay can allow tourists to travel the country more extensively,” Hu, a travel writer, said.

“A longer stay would ultimately mean more tourist dollars for the country.”

The Hong Kong Immigration Department said the measure would strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between Thailand and Hong Kong.

Thai figures show that almost 15 million tourists visited Thailand in the first five months of 2024 and generated 700 billion baht in revenue.

The 2.91 million tourists from mainland China topped the list of arrivals and Hong Kong ranked 16th at 317,954.

Hu added that Hongkongers should not be concerned about safety in Thailand after six foreigners were found dead in a Bangkok hotel.

They were discovered in a room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok on Tuesday night, with suspect Sherine Chong believed to have killed five others with cyanide, before taking her own life with the same poison.

Bangkok police said the incident, which involved people of Vietnamese origin, had been driven by a dispute over debt related to an investment.

Four of the dead were Vietnamese nationals and two were US citizens.

Hu said the hotel was reputable and popular with Hongkongers as it was near the Four Face Buddha at the Erawan Shrine, a major tourist attraction, and that the deaths were an “isolated incident”.

Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, the executive director of travel agency EGL Tours, told the Post the company currently had four tour groups in Bangkok, but their holidays had not been affected by the news.

“Our customers understood that it was a stand-alone incident,” he said.

More from South China Morning Post:

• How Hong Kong permanent residents can apply for new mainland China multi-entry visas
• US ‘taking steps’ to impose visa restrictions on Hong Kong, mainland Chinese officials over national security law implementation
• Mainland China move allowing visa-free cruises can benefit Hong Kong as well

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app . Copyright 2024.

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Travis Scott Expands 'CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR,' Adds One-Off MetLife Stadium Show

Bringing the tour to latin america, new zealand and australia this fall..

Travis Scott isn’t done with his CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR quite yet. Currently in the midst of the tour’s European leg which closes out soon, the rapper is already readying his next move – which includes bringing the tour over to Latin America, New Zealand and Australia and tacking on another one-off One Night Only in UTOPIA show in North America.

Scott will continue on his CIRCUS MAXIMUS trek on September 7, heading to stadiums in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS FALL TOUR DATES – JUST ADDED: Sept 7 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Bicentenario La Florida * Sept 9 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movie Star Arena * Sept 11 – São Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque Stadium Sept 13 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Rock N Rio Sept 15 – Bogota, Colombia – Coliseo Live Sept 18 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coliseo de Puerto Rico Sept 21 – Mexico City, México – Esplanade Estadio Azteca * Oct 9 – East Rutherford, New Jersey – MetLife Stadium Oct 17 – Sydney, Australia – Allianz Stadium Oct 22 – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium Oct 26 – Brisbane, Australia – Suncorp Stadium Oct 31 – Auckland, New Zealand – Eden Park

TICKETS – LATAM: Tickets for the Latin America dates will be available starting with presales beginning Wednesday, July 24. General onsales begin Thursday, July 25. Presale and onsale dates and times vary by market, check local listings for more information. TICKETS – AU/NZ: Tickets for the Australia and New Zealand dates will be available starting with presales beginning Monday, July 29. General onsales begin Friday, August 2. Presale and onsale dates and times vary by market, check local listings for more information. TICKETS – METLIFE: Tickets for the MetLife show will be available starting with an artist presale beginning Wednesday, July 24 at 10am ET. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, July 26 at 10am ET.

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