‘World’s biggest welcome ever’: Hong Kong launches all-out promotional drive to entice visitors back after 3 years of isolation
- Chief Executive John Lee unveils details of his government’s ambitious ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign
- He highlights plans to give away 700,000 airline tickets, revive interest in city’s many tourist attractions, and restore its reputation as ‘world’s freest economy’
Hong Kong has launched an all-out global promotional drive to entice visitors back into the city after three years of isolation under tough pandemic curbs, announcing “the world’s biggest welcome ever” with free air tickets, spending vouchers and special events.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled details of his government’s ambitious “Hello Hong Kong” campaign on Thursday, highlighting plans to give away 700,000 airline tickets, revive interest in the city’s many tourist attractions, and restore its reputation as “the world’s freest economy”.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world’s biggest welcome ever!” he declared after a launch ceremony at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“There will be no isolation, no quarantine, and no restriction on experiencing our great wine-and-dine scenes, on doing business, on joining events and outings, on doing sports, on enjoying the hustle and bustle of Asia’s world city, and so much more.”
In another development, the government is expected to announce the scrapping of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for people travelling between mainland China and Hong Kong from Monday – the final piece in fully reopening the city without any restrictions – at a press conference scheduled for Friday morning, according to sources.
Lee, against a backdrop of promotional videos featuring popular singers and industry leaders of chambers of commerce, said the government would invite 1,000 prominent guests to witness how Hong Kong was back in the global arena.
