Tourism was one of the activities most affected by the covid-19 health crisis.
The closure of transport, the cancellation of millions of flights, the borders without transit and the fear of contagion caused the tourist movement to be practically nil for many months.
Although to a lesser extent, problems continued in the months after the major lockdown, especially in some Asian countries, where governments prolonged decisions related to strict quarantines.
China, for example, continued to lock down cities until the second quarter of 2022, the same as other countries in the region.
But time passed and, with the resumption of activities and the return to normality after the coronavirus pandemic, Some governments are analyzing measures that will reactivate tourism.
This happens in the city state of Hong Kongwhich after completing an extensive period of isolation due to the coronavirus, has decided give away 500 thousand plane tickets.
Hong Kong gives away plane tickets to revive tourism
According to what was communicated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, between 2013 and 2019, this city had an average of 58.1 million visitors per year.
However, in the first nine months of 2022, that number of tourists was barely 250 thousand.
Not surprising in a country that until last month required a mandatory three-week quarantine for travelers.
Who would go to Hong Kong if they had to spend 21 days locked up in a hotel, paying room and board, only to be able to leave afterwards?
Hong Kong was already affected by the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which affected its image, but the problems stemming from the pandemic made everything worse.
The city has 100,000 fewer inhabitants than in 2019 and is in an economic recession after having registered a decline in GDP in two consecutive quarters.
The authorities’ idea of giving away tickets seeks to reactivate a key sector for the city that has been hit hard in recent years.
give away plane tickets
Although no details have been released, the Hong Kong Airport Authority (AAHK) indicated that the plane tickets will be for airlines based in the city, such as Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines.
The two operate flights mostly to mainland China, Japan and Southeast Asia, but it will also be on the list. Cathay Pacificwhich flies all over the world.
According to the authorities, the idea will have a fiscal cost of about 250 million dollars.
Hong Kong airport used to be one of the busiest in the world, but current activity is less than 4 percent of previous years.
Although the three-week quarantine measures have been lifted, travelers are subjected to a PCR test upon arrival and cannot go to bars or restaurants for the first three days.
In addition, tourists remain at risk of being isolated in a hotel or sent to quarantine camps if they test positive upon arrival in Hong Kong.
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