Cathay Pacific draws first 'World's Biggest Welcome' winner
Cathay Pacific's very first winner in "The World's Biggest Welcome" lucky draw was Mr Arnold Chan. He picked a friend in South Korea whom he met while studying in Australia.
Mr Chan was in the middle of a business meeting when Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen called from the Times Square lucky draw site to break the good news. Mr Chan will also receive two additional air tickets for his own travel and automatically qualified to join the first 100 winners in the special Grand Draw on 5 February.
Mr Chan said: "I'm amazed and excited at being the first winner. I've not seen my friend in a long time. I plan to take her to the Peak, go shopping at Stanley, ride the Star Ferry and have fun at Ocean Park."
Mr Chan, who said he also happens to be frequent Cathay Pacific flyer, added: "Cathay is very generous in giving away 10,000 tickets. It benefits not only the nominees but the nominators and Hong Kong people as well. The campaign could help promote tourism in Hong Kong and stimulate the local economy, as visitors will definitely spend money in Hong Kong. I'm going to encourage more friends to take part in the draw."
Today's winners were drawn from people who nominated a friend or relative living in Asia or the Middle East. All 10 will be notified individually.
As of midnight on 29 January, the fourth day of the campaign, Cathay Pacific had collected close to 150,000 completed entry forms. North America has so far proved to be the most popular pick with 45% of the total entries. Asia and Middle East came second with 23% of the total.
Three more draws will take place this week among people who elected to invite their friends and relatives from Europe, Australasia, South Africa and North America. Thursday's draw will be for Europe and another 20 winners will be drawn.
Among those present at the draw were local celebrity Alex Fong, Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen, Legislative Council Member Mr Cheung Yu Yan, District Council Vice-Chairmen Mr Cheng Chun Ping, Mr Leung Kin Man, and Mr Leung Che Cheung.
Each day's draw follows a theme designed to highlight different aspects of Hong Kong as a world class tourist destination. Today's theme was centred on the eateries in Hong Kong. Thursday's will be good places to go in Hong Kong.
The closing date for the draw is midnight of 2 February 2002. Entry form drop-off points are located at six MTR stations - Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay, Kowloon Tong, Mongkok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and at the departure level of the Hong Kong International Airport.
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Philip Chen and Alex Fong seen here burrowing through the piles of application forms. Click photo for larger image |
Philip Chen elated to pick the first of the 10,000 winners for "The World's Biggest Welcome" today at Times Square. Click photo for larger image |
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Philip Chen congratulates the first winner on the first opportunity that he gets. Click photo for larger image |
The first winner Mr Arnold Cheng shown here poising with Cathay Pacific cabin crew after rushing to the venue from Cheung Sha Wan at the first moment he receives the phone call from PC. Click photo for larger image |
