Hong Kong is offering 500,000 free flight tickets to visitors to the region. The distribution of free tickets will start from Wednesday, as Hong Kong aims to resurrect its once-vibrant tourism that took a tough beating during the pandemic period. Tickets for the campaign, called ‘World of Winners’ will be distributed by a few airlines namely, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines and HK Express.
Apart from the 500,000 free tickets for overseas travellers, around 80,000 tickets will be distributed to Hong Kong residents. Some of the tickets will be given away in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area. Out of the distribution, 65 per cent will be given out by airlines through direct channels or agents, and the remaining will be reserved for tourism-related sectors.
Hong Kong International Airport
Award winning Hong Kong International Airport Announces 500,000 Free Air Tickets for International Travellers to boost tourism in their country. Hong Kong Is Giving Away 500,000 Free Round-Trip Plane Tickets. The announcement comes as part of the country’s plan to regain tourism over the next year and beyond. Has Hong Kong always been on your bucket list? Now might be the perfect time to make finally make plans to visit.
World Of Winners Programme
HKIA “World of Winners” is a campaign that gives away free 500,000 air tickets to travellers in main markets to stimulate air traffic particularly inbound travel to Hong Kong and promote the recovery of the aviation industry, tourism and economy of Hong Kong.
Free Ticket
Ticket Giveaway Campaign through their direct channels or their agents.
Hong Kong’s Free Airline Tickets: The Hong Kong airport administration pre-purchased five lakh tickets two years ago, and they have recently confirmed their intention to give those out for free. As the Asian island begins to open its doors to tourism once more, the goal is to compensate customers who use Hong Kong Airlines’ services. The free tickets have a total estimated value of $2,100 crore (two billion Hong Kong dollars).
Hong Kong During Pandemic
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong received roughly five crore visitors annually. However, over the last two years, Hong Kong has imposed some of the strictest regulations, hurting its airline industry. Even though the Hong Kong government stopped requiring a hotel quarantine period for visitors in September, there are still rules in place for foreign visitors.
Giving away free tickets will speed the process of regaining Hong Kong’s status as a top tourism destination, claims Prudence Lai. Hong Kong’s pre-Covid position indicated the market potential of a full comeback, according to a senior analyst at the market research firm Euromonitor International, who spoke to the BBC.
This greatly depends on when mainland Chinese visitors return, she continued, as mainland China makes up more than half of Hong Kong’s incoming arrivals and travel receipts.
Free Tickets To Boost Tourism
As of March 1, 2023, 500,000 free airline tickets will be handed out to visitors by Hong Kong’s three home-based airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines as well as Hong Kong Express.
These tickets will be given away to visitors in major passenger markets and they will be distributed in phases through their respective channels in major passenger markets.
| Markets | Timeline (2023) |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia (for inbound) | March 1 onwards |
| Mainland China (for inbound) | April onwards |
| Northeast Asia (for inbound) | May onwards |
| Hong Kong (for outbound) | June onwards |
| Other markets (for inbound) | May onwards |
How to apply for Hong Kong Free Ticket?
Hong Kong Tourism will launch the advertising campaigns for the free tickets as soon as the government declares it will stop all Covid-19 restrictions for incoming travellers, Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, told the BBC. The agreement with the airline firms will be finalised by the airport authority, he added.
You can register for this giveaway on each respective airline’s website below. Keep in mind to keep an eye of the webpage until the registration opens.
Hong Kong’s three carriers, Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines, will distribute 65 per cent of free air tickets.
1. People can sign up for the Cathay membership programme to receive a reminder to join the “World of Winners” ticket giveaway campaign.
Apart from 500,000 giveaway tickets to visitors, around 80,000 tickets will be given away to Hong Kong residents and a further 80,000 to residents in Greater Bay Area.
Giveaway Terms & Notes
There are a couple of points you need to keep note of. Firstly, the tickets sponsored by Airport Authority are given in Economy Class.
Moreover, all related surcharges, fees, and taxes would be borne by the winners of the tickets. This means even if you have received a free ticket, you would still need to pay taxes and fees.
The free round-trip tickets will include checked baggage.
List of Major Events in Hong Kong 2023
| Date | Title of Event | Nature of Event | Organiser | Month |
| 19 Jan–5 Feb | Fortune Around Hong Kong | – Territory–wide events/ Carnival | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Feb-23 |
| 2–5 Feb | HKTDC Education & Careers Expo | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) | Feb-23 |
| 12-Feb | The 25th Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates | Feb-23 |
| 14–19 Feb | 2023 Hong Kong Race Week | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Sailing Federation | Feb-23 |
| 15–16 Feb | 6th Three–Country–Five–Party Talks | – Seminar/Talk | – Customs and Excise Department | Feb-23 |
| 25-Feb | 2023 Asian Triathlon Cup | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Triathlon Association Limited | Feb-23 |
| 1–5 Mar | HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 1–5 Mar | HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 03-Mar | Countryside Conservation Conference | – Conference | – Countryside Conservation Office under Nature Conservation Division | Mar-23 |
| 3–5 Mar | Clockenflap | – Outdoor music and arts activity | – Magnetic Asia | Mar-23 |
| 3 Mar–28 Jun | Joan Miró: The Poetry of Everyday Life | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Museum of Art | Mar-23 |
| 13–16 Mar | Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 13–16 Mar | EntertainmentPulse | – Conference | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 13 Mar–16 Apr | Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2023 | – Territory–wide events/ Carnival | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 15-Mar | MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse | – Conference | – HKTDC | Mar-23 |
| 15–17 Mar | The 60th Meeting of APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EGEEC 60) | – Conference | – Electrical and Mechanical Services Department | Mar-23 |
| 18–19 Mar | Hong Kong Disneyland 10K Weekend 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited | Mar-23 |
| 19–26 Mar | 20th Annual Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot | – Race/Competition | – Department of Justice (DoJ) | Mar-23 |
| 21–25 Mar | Art Basel Hong Kong | – Exhibition | – MCH Group Asia Limited | Mar-23 |
| 21–25 Mar | Art Central | – Exhibition | – Art Central | Mar-23 |
| 23–26 Mar (tbc) | World City Championship | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Golf Association | Mar-23 |
| 24–25 Mar | Museum Summit 2023 | – Conference | – Leisure and Cultural Services Department | Mar-23 |
| 24 Mar–2 Apr | WestK Music Festival 2023 | – Stage performance | – West Kowloon Cultural District Authority | Mar-23 |
| 27–31 Mar | The 53rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives | – Conference | – China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment and Centre for Food Safety | Mar-23 |
| 28–30 Mar | Asia Sports Technology Conference | – Conference | – Varcis Group | Mar-23 |
| 29–30 Mar | WOW Summit Hong Kong 2023 | – Conference | – WOW Summit Pte. Ltd. | Mar-23 |
| 30 Mar–10 Apr | The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival | – Territory–wide events/ Carnival | – The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited | Mar-23 |
| Date | Title of Event | Nature of Event | Organiser | Mar-23 |
| 31 Mar–2 Apr | Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Rugby Union | Mar-23 |
| Mar onwards | Arts in Hong Kong | – Others | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Mar-23 |
| Mar (tbc) | Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) | – Conference | – HKMA | Mar-23 |
| 3–16 Apr (tbc) | The SDG FairBreak Invitational T20 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Cricket Hong Kong | Apr-23 |
| 7–10 Apr | Hong Kong Lacrosse Open 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Lacrosse Association | Apr-23 |
| 12–15 Apr | HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 12–15 Apr | HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 12–15 Apr | InnoEX | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 12–15 Apr | Smart Hong Kong Pavilion | – Exhibition | – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) | Apr-23 |
| 13–14 Apr | Digital Economy Summit (DES) 2023 | – Conference | – OGCIO – Cyberport | Apr-23 |
| 18 Apr–9 Jul | “Virtually Versailles” Exhibition | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Heritage Museum | Apr-23 |
| 19–21 Apr | Asian Licensing Conference | – Conference | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–21 Apr | HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–22 Apr | Home InStyle | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–22 Apr | HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–22 Apr | Fashion InStyle | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–22 Apr | HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 19–22 Apr | Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Apr-23 |
| 22 Apr–3 Dec | Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival | – Others | – Leisure and Cultural Services Department | Apr-23 |
| Apr–Jun | French May Arts Festival | – Others | – Association Culturelle France | Apr-23 |
| Apr–Aug | 66th Festival of Sport | – Territory–wide events/ Carnival | – Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China | Apr-23 |
| 3–5 May | The 55th APEC SME Working Group Meeting and Related Activities | – Conference | – Trade and Industry Department | May-23 |
| 10–12 May | ProWine Hong Kong | – Exhibition | – Messe Düsseldorf China | May-23 |
| 16–17 May | Hospital Authority Convention 2023 | – Seminar/Talk | – Hospital Authority | May-23 |
| 16–18 May | HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair | – Seminar/Talk | – HKTDC | May-23 |
| 16–31 May | International Healthcare Week | – Conference | – HKTDC | May-23 |
| 17–18 May | Asia Summit on Global Health | – Conference | – HKSARG | May-23 |
| Date | Title of Event | Nature of Event | Organiser | May-23 |
| 13–18 Jun | FIVB Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China | Jun-23 |
| 24–25 Jun (tbc) | 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association | Jun-23 |
| 29-Jun | Ceremony for Energy Saving and Decarbonisation for All Campaign 2023 | – Others | – Environment and Ecology Bureau | Jun-23 |
| Jun–Sep | 8th Belt and Road Summit | – Conference | – HKSARG | Jun-23 |
| Jun–Nov | Hong Kong Great Outdoors 2023 – 2024 (Summer Phase) | – Others | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Jun-23 |
| 4–5 Jul | Asia Pacific (APAC) Internet Forum (tbc) | – Conference | – Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited | Jul-23 |
| 15–16 Jul | Asian Cup Cadets and Junior Hong Kong 2023 | – Race/Competition | – The Judo Association of Hong Kong, China | Jul-23 |
| 19 Jul (tbc) | 4th Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards | – Others | – Hong Kong Publishing Professionals Society | Jul-23 |
| 19–25 Jul | HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Jul-23 |
| 19–25 Jul | HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Jul-23 |
| 19–25 Jul | HKTDC World of Snacks | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Jul-23 |
| Jul/Aug | Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2023 | – Conference | – Cyberport | Jul-23 |
| Jul–Sep/ | International Construction Leaders Summit | – Seminar/Talk | – Development Bureau | Jul-23 |
| 2nd half of 2023 | Grand opening of Frozen–themed land – World of Frozen | – Others | – Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited | Jul-23 |
| 17–19 Aug | HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair | – Exhibition – Trade Fair | – HKTDC | Aug-23 |
| 17–19 Aug | HKTDC Food Expo (Trade) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Aug-23 |
| 17–21 Aug | HKTDC Food Expo (Public) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Aug-23 |
| 17–21 Aug | HKTDC Home Delights Expo | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Aug-23 |
| 17–21 Aug | HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Aug-23 |
| 17–27 Aug | The 11th Asian Junior Wushu Championships in 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Wushu Union Limited | Aug-23 |
| Aug | The 11th World Shuttlecock Championships | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Shuttlecock Association Limited | Aug-23 |
| Aug (tbc) | “Maker in China” SME Innovation and | – Competition | – Cyberport | Aug-23 |
| 5–9 Sep | HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair | – Exhibition – Trade Fair | – HKTDC | Sep-23 |
| 7–9 Sep | CENTRESTAGE | – Exhibition – Trade Fair | – HKTDC | Sep-23 |
| 8–10 Sep | Asian Cup (Speed & Boulder) 2023 | – Race/Competition | – China Hong Kong Mountaineering & Climbing Union Limited | Sep-23 |
| 12–17 Sep | YONEX–SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Badminton Association | Sep-23 |
| Sep | 6th HCCH Asia Pacific Week in celebration of HCCH | – Conference | – DoJ | Sep-23 |
| Date | Title of Event | Nature of Event | Organiser | Sep-23 |
| 13–14 Sep (tbc) | 8th Belt and Road Summit | – Conference | – HKSARG | Sep-23 |
| 13–15 Sep | International Symposium on Cyber Policing | – Seminar/Talk | – Hong Kong Police Force | Sep-23 |
| 15 Sep (tbc) | Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable | – Others | – HKTDC | Sep-23 |
| 17–21 Sep | 71st International Meeting of Technical Authorities for Cableways (ITTAB) | – Conference | – Electrical and Mechanical Services Department | Sep-23 |
| 23 Sep–6 Oct | Chinese Opera Festival (Bamboo Theatre) | – Stage performance | – Leisure and Cultural Services Department | Sep-23 |
| Sep 2023– Jan 2024 | Gazing at Sanxingdui (Exact name tbc) | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Palace Museum | Sep-23 |
| 05-Oct | Awards Presentation Ceremony of Hong Kong ICT Awards 2023 | – Others (Awards | – OGCIO | Oct-23 |
| 13–16 Oct | HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Oct-23 |
| 13–16 Oct | electronicAsia | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Oct-23 |
| 16–20 Oct (tbc) | Hong Kong Arbitration Week | – Seminar/Talk | – HKIAC | Oct-23 |
| 16–22 Oct (tbc) | Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Tennis Association | Oct-23 |
| 26–29 Oct | Eco Expo Asia – International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection | – Exhibition – Trade Fair | – HKTDC | Oct-23 |
| 26–29 Oct | Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival | – Outdoor activity | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Oct-23 |
| 26–29 Oct | HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Oct-23 |
| 27–30 Oct | HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Oct-23 |
| 28–29 Oct | 2023 Asia Triathlon Cup and Asia Triathlon Youth | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Triathlon Association Limited | Oct-23 |
| Oct (tbc) | 2023/24 Investment Law & Investor – | – Seminar/Talk | – DoJ | Oct-23 |
| Oct (tbc) | Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes | – Race/Competition | – Cricket Hong Kong Limited | Oct-23 |
| Oct | Hong Kong Cyclothon | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Oct-23 |
| Oct–Dec | First Edition of The Hague Academy of | – Seminar/Talk | – DoJ | Oct-23 |
| Oct–Dec | MPF Symposium 2023 | – Seminar/Talk | – Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme Authority (MPFA) | Oct-23 |
| Oct 2023– Feb 2024 | Titian and Venetian Painters of the 16th century – Masterpieces from the Uffizi Galleries | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Museum of Art | Oct-23 |
| 6–10 Nov | Hong Kong Legal Week | – Conference | – DoJ | Nov-23 |
| 8–10 Nov | HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair | – Exhibition | – HKTDC | Nov-23 |
| 9–11 Nov | HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair | – Exhibition – Trade Fair | – HKTDC | Nov-23 |
| 12 Nov (tbc) | New World Harbour Race 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong China Swimming Association | Nov-23 |
| 13–18 Nov | Hong Kong Laureate Forum | – Forum | – The Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum Limited (the HKLF) | Nov-23 |
| 19 Nov (tbc) | Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates | Nov-23 |
| 19–25 Nov | Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023 | – Seminar/ Talk | – Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board | Nov-23 |
| 21–22 Nov | Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2023 | – Conference | – HKSARG | Nov-23 |
| 25 Nov 2023– | Hong Kong Winter Fest 2023 | – Others | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Nov-23 |
| 25–26 Nov (tbc) | 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Automobile Association | Nov-23 |
| Nov | Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2023 | – Conference | – Cyberport | Nov-23 |
| Nov (tbc) | Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit | – Conference | – HKMA | Nov-23 |
| 27 Nov–3 Dec | Everbright Securities International Hong Kong Squash Open 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Squash | Nov-23 |
| Nov (tbc) | Hong Kong Fintech Week 2023 | – Conference | – InvestHK | Nov-23 |
| Nov (tbc) | Hong Kong Open 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Golf Association | Nov-23 |
| Nov (tbc) | SFC Regulatory Forum 2023 | – Seminar/Talk | – Securities and Futures Commission | Nov-23 |
| Nov (tbc) | FIBA 3×3 World Tour Hong Kong Masters 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Basketball Association | Nov-23 |
| Nov | The 5th UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit 2023 (as part of Hong Kong Legal Week 2023) | – Conference | – DoJ | Nov-23 |
| 27 Nov–2 Dec | Business of Design Week | – Exhibition | – Hong Kong Design Centre | Nov-23 |
| 5–6 Dec (tbc) | Hong Kong Forum | – Conference | – HKTDC | Dec-23 |
| 7–8 Dec (tbc) | HKTDC Entrepreneur Day | – Conference | – HKTDC | Dec-23 |
| 7–8 Dec | Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum | – Conference | – HKSARG | Dec-23 |
| 15–29 Dec (tbc) | Hong Kong Open (DanceSport) 2023 | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong DanceSport Association | Dec-23 |
| 31 Dec 2023– | 2023–24 Hong Kong New Year Countdown | – Outdoor activity | – Hong Kong Tourism Board | Dec-23 |
| Dec | The 1st Asian Shuttlecock Championships and Asian Youth Shuttlecock Championships | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Shuttlecock Association Limited | Dec-23 |
| Dec (tbc) | Asian Insurance Forum 2023 | – Seminar/Talk | – Insurance Authority | Dec-23 |
| Dec (tbc) | DesignInspire | – Others | – HKTDC | Dec-23 |
| Dec (tbc) | The 22nd Asia Pacific Information and | – Race/Competition | – Hong Kong Computer Society | Dec-23 |
