Hundred get out to join Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Airways today issued more than 200 certificates for special $1,000 tickets on the first day of the "We Love HK" campaign. Hong Kong shoppers rushed to spend the minimum $1,000 at local travel agents, hotels and restaurants to qualify for the deal.
The "We Love HK" campaign, which will run through the entire month of May, aims to encourage local people to get their lives back to normal, and spend a little money to give the local economy a much needed boost.
Cathay Pacific, which initiated the campaign, has offered 2,000 round-trip tickets from Hong Kong to Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul and Denpasar for just HK$1,000. People must produce receipts at the airline's redemption centre to prove that they have spent a minimum of HK$1,000 on a local tour, hotel package, in restaurants or retail outlets.
The majority of people who took advantage of the deal said they would visit Japan. Many said they had never previously joined a local tour but had done so to support the campaign. They agreed that the "We Love HK" campaign can stimulate local economy.
One man said it felt good to sign up for a tour because it gave him a chance to spend more time with friends and family.
Cathay Pacific has opened a campaign ticket redemption counter at Hong Kong Station. It will be open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm until 7 June.
Hundreds of restaurants and retail outlets have pledged their support to the "We Love HK" campaign, as have 11 international airlines.
Both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are offering return tickets to London for $2,500. American Airlines is offering tickets to Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Jose and Toronto all at just $3,888.
Northwest Airlines announced will give a $1,000 discount on Japan tours booked through Package Tours (HK) or Wincastle Travel. Dragonair is offering tickets to Phuket for $1,000. Air China is offering 600 tickets from Hong Kong to Beijing or Dalian for $999, and a further 400 tickets from Hong Kong to Cheng Du, Chong Qing or Gui Yang for $799 apiece.
China Southern is also offering 500 tickets from Hong Kong to Wuhan for $900. Australia¡¦s Qantas Airways is offering a $1,000 discount on any Qantas Holidays package to Sydney. Other airlines that have committed to the campaign include, Air Canada and Finnair. Details of the airlines deals can be found at the Website www.bar.org.hk.
The "We Love HK" campaign was created by the Tourism Coalition of Hong Kong, which is made up of members of the tourism industry, including the Board of Airline Representatives, Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, Hong Kong Hotels Association and Travel Industry Council.
All any shop or business can join the campaign and download the "We Love HK" logo from the campaign website at http://www.welovehongkong.com (designed and managed free of charge by courtesy of Excellent Management Limited) or simply cut out the logo from most Hong Kong newspapers, and display it in their window. PCCW has also volunteered to provide an enquiry hotline (1836168), which operates daily from 9am to 5pm to answer questions relating to the campaign.
Participating merchants of the campaign now include 80 local hotels, 1,300 Trade Industry Council registered travel agents, Star Cruises, Ocean Park, about 10 Catering Groups and many retailers.
