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hong kong tourism board uk

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Warnings and insurance

This travel advice covers the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). For mainland China, see travel advice for China and for Macao SAR, see Macao travel advice .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Dual Chinese-British nationality

Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both British and Chinese nationality, you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by local authorities, even if you enter Hong Kong on your British passport. If this is the case, the British Consulate-General may not be able to offer you consular help.    

If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, carry evidence that you have done so.

See guidance on nationality in China . 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you: 

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If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

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Arriving tourists will receive a set of “Hong Kong Goodies” visitor consumption voucher containing a complimentary drink or a cash voucher redeemable at transportation, culinary, retail outlets and attractions. (Photo credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board)

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Hong Kong Tourism Board

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide.

Foreign yet familiar, the city is a true melting pot of eastern and western cultures, and old and new aspects of the city live side by side perfectly. Renowned for its skyscrapers, rooftop bars, incredible views and fine dining, there is actually much more to Hong Kong than first meets the eye. What you may not know is that Hong Kong is actually 70% green and has over 200 outlying islands, beautifully undulating mountains to hike up, cycling trails and stunning sandy beaches.

At DiscoverHongKong,  you can find travel information, news, images and videos about Hong Kong, as well as tips on how to get the most out of your visit to our city, the gateway to Asia.

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Hong Kong will pay for your plane ticket to visit in 2023: here’s how to apply

HK is giving away 500,000 plane tickets as it looks to revive its tourist industry

James Manning

Last year, the Hong Kong tourist board announced plans to give away half a million free plane tickets to encourage tourism in 2023  – and now it’s finally, officially happening. 

Details of the giveaway were unveiled on February 2 by Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu, as part of the ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign.  

How to get free air tickets to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Airport’s website  allows travellers to select their departure location and enter a draw to win a round-trip ticket. The giveaway periods are staggered, depending on what part of the world you live in.

Travellers from Europe

The ticket giveaway has now ended for travellers from the UK  and Europe . Entrants were asked to register for tickets on  Cathay Pacific’s website  and complete a quiz. Tickets will be allocated to those who answered the questions correctly on a first come, first served basis. Winners from the UK will be contacted with details  on how to redeem their prize on June 5 .

Travellers from North America

Starting May 17 , travellers from the  USA and Canada  can apply for tickets from Cathay Pacific. The  US giveaway  opens at 5pm PST/8pm EST, while the Canada giveaway opens at 6pm PST/9pm EST. The entry period will close on May 24 .

Travellers from Australia and New Zealand

The giveaway will open to travellers from Australia and New Zealand on  May 29 . 

Travellers from Asia

The giveaway is now closed for Southeast Asian travellers, but travellers from Seoul can apply from now until the end of June. Those from Japan and Taiwan wanting to win a free trip can apply from June and July. A portion of tickets has been awarded to travellers from mainland China , with more to come, according to Hong Kong Airport’s website. Travellers from Hong Kong wanting to win a return trip can apply in July.

Travellers from other destinations

The giveaway has ended now for travellers from Tel Aviv , but travellers from the UAE, Nepal, India and Bangladesh can apply from May 22 . The giveaway also opens to South African travellers from June 6 .

What airlines are taking part in the promotion?

Tickets will be available from the following airlines.

Cathay Pacific

You must be signed up to Cathay Pacific ’s website to enter the draw.

Hong Kong’s budget airline HK Express will also be giving away free air tickets.

Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines are giving away free round-trip flights from Seoul to HK.

Greater Bay Airlines

Visitors from Asia can enter to win flights to Hong Kong from Greater Bay Airlines .

What other discounts are available?

As if free flights weren’t enough, visitors will also be offered discounts on things like restaurants, shops, museums and more. It’s all in aid of bolstering tourism in the region under the  ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign. You can find out more about the discounts on offer here .

Why are they launching the free air ticket campaign?

The Hong Kong Tourism Board already bought tickets from carriers back in 2020 as part of the government support package for the aviation sector.

A one-way flight to Hong Kong would normally cost upwards of £500 from London or $1,000 from the west coast of the USA, and in total, it’s estimated the giveaway scheme will cost the Hong Kong government HK$2 billion to run. But that’s clearly worth it for a destination that has seen its tourist industry more or less completely collapse over the past few years – first due to the civil unrest of 2019, then the pandemic and one of the world’s strictest travel lockdowns.

Sounds pretty good, right? We certainly think a free trip to check out Hong Kong’s incredible restaurants , best-in-class bars , distinctive local neighbourhoods  and mountainous hiking trails  would be too good to pass up. Watch this space for updates.

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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Monday launched the "360 Hong Kong Moments" campaign globally, featuring virtual-reality (VR) experiences, to turn the international spotlight on the tourism hub and get ready for tourism recovery.

The campaign highlighted VR films on Hong Kong's natural scenery and cultural activities. And the first 360-degree VR film in the series of "360 Hong Kong Moments" has come out, taking viewers outdoors on an immersive journey across Hong Kong's green scenes, the board said.

The HKTB also invited a famous local photographer to create 360-degree photographs that showcase Hong Kong's green scenes from a whole new perspective.

The board said the campaign was launched in conjunction with the in-principle agreement on a bilateral Air Travel Bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Air Travel Bubble will help revive cross-border air travel between the two aviation hubs in a safe and progressive way, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said last Thursday.

On top of ramping up Hong Kong's promotional efforts in Singapore, the HKTB hopes that the ongoing series of "360 Hong Kong Moments" will keep the destination brand alive and ensure that Hong Kong stays top-of-mind for people around the world before other travel bubbles are formed, said Chairman of the HKTB Pang Yiu-kai.

The COVID-19 pandemic has almost halted global tourism, and Hong Kong is no exception. According to the board's statistics released on Monday, the provisional figure for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in September was around 9,132, a drop of almost 100 percent from the same time last year.

And there were 3.55 million visitor arrivals in the first nine months of the year, a drop of over 92 percent year on year.

(Cover: A panoramic view of Hong Kong. /VCG) 

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Hong Kong protests: How badly has tourism been affected?

  • Published 12 August 2019

A tourist holds a selfie stick (C) from the peak which overlooks the city of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbour on June 9, 2018

Protesters in Hong Kong are continuing protests at the city's international airport .

The demonstrations come as the US warned its citizens to "exercise increased caution" when travelling there.

Several other nations - including Australia, the UK, Ireland, Singapore and Japan - have also issued heightened travel advisories over what the US called "confrontational" protests in the Chinese territory.

This isn't the first time the airport has become a protest site: On 26 July, thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators and airline staff held a sit-in there with the aim of reaching tourists and raising awareness of the protests' goals.

Then on 5 August, more than 200 flights were cancelled amid a city-wide strike .

Hong Kong is one of the world's most visited cities, but experts say the disruption is hurting its hospitality sector.

So how much have the protests affected tourism?

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Hong Kong protests: All the context you need

  • The background you need on the protests
  • A brief history of Hong Kong

Young, radical and ready for tear gas

'Significant fall-off in bookings'

For nine weeks now, anti-government rallies have frequently ended in violent clashes with police - and some would-be visitors are concerned the city may be more dangerous than before. Google Trends data shows a marked increase for the search term "Hong Kong safe" since the end of July, with the majority of searches coming from Europe and other parts of Asia.

China warns HK protesters not to 'play with fire'

Were triads involved in Hong Kong violence?

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, preliminary figures have shown a "double-digit decline" in the number of visitor arrivals in the second half of July.

"The travel trade has reported that the number of forward bookings in August and September has [also] dropped significantly," a spokesperson told the BBC.

Flight bookings, too, have taken a hit.

Hong Kong flagship carrier Cathay Pacific declined to give any figures, but said that it was "seeing the impact of local political unrest".

A Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 350-1000 landing at Rome Fiumicino airport.

"This has led to a significant fall-off in future bookings over the next few months, particularly for inbound travel," John Slosar, Cathay Pacific Group Chairman, said in a statement.

International hotel chain the Langham Hospitality Group said "certain segments" at its Hong Kong hotels had seen a "slowdown".

However, a spokesperson added that the protests would "affect sentiment and retail businesses, but in the longer term will not pose a threat to Hong Kong's economy and global standing as one of the top travel destinations of the world".

Mainland tourists visit the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, 2017

Even Disneyland Hong Kong is seeing a drop in numbers.

CEO Bob Iger said: "We have seen an impact from the protests. There's definitely been disruption. That has impacted our visitation there."

Tourists in the territory

The tourism industry is one of the major pillars of Hong Kong's economy, contributing around 5% of the city's GDP.

A large majority of Hong Kong's visitors come from mainland China. In January to June 2019 alone, mainlanders made 27 million visits to the territory.

Visitor arrivals to Hong Kong. Data from January - June 2019. Total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong by country  .

Protesters in Hong Kong are well aware of this.

Earlier in July, they attempted to spread their pro-democracy message to mainland tourists, handing out leaflets in the busy shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui.

Information is strictly censored in China, and many state-media outlets have painted a picture of protesters "destroying" the city - a tactic aimed at fanning public anger against the demonstrators - as in this tweet from the (famously nationalistic and outspoken) Global Times.

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According to news outlet Radio Free Asia (RFA), a travel agency in Shenzhen said many people in China had recently cancelled their trips to Hong Kong.

"One of my guests said he was afraid that it would be unsafe," the unnamed agency told RFA.

And others agreed.

"How are there still people willing to travel to Hong Kong?" asked one commenter on the Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo. "Do they not read the news? Their personal safety will be at risk."

"I used to travel to Hong Kong for shopping, I'd rather go to Japan or Korea now," another added.

Jason Wong, chairman of the Travel Industry of Hong Kong, told AFP: "I think the situation is getting more and more serious."

He added that travel agents are considering putting staff on unpaid leave.

According to the South China Morning Post, which is based in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) said most of its 8,000 member shops had recorded a drop in revenue.

The HKRMA said it would revise its sales forecast to a "double digit decline" if protests continued. It had earlier forecasted a year of single-digit growth.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch told Reuters news agency that political turbulence had contributed to a "double-digit decline in sales in Hong Kong", one of its most important global markets.

And Angela Cheng, an economist at CMB International Capital Corporation Limited, said retail sales in 2019 were forecast to drop by as much as 10%.

"Hong Kong's retail industry will be affected both internally and externally," she told Reuters.

More on this story

The background you need on Hong Kong's protests

  • Published 21 May 2020

Demonstrators protesting the proposed extradition bill aim their flashlights towards riot police as they are chased through the streets of Hong Kong, China, August 25, 2019

  • Published 6 August 2019

A protester throw a stone towards police outside Tin Shui Wai police station during a protest on August 05

  • Published 22 July 2019

Men in white T-shirts with poles are seen in Yuen Long after attacked anti-extradition bill demonstrators at a train station, in Hong Kong

  • Published 17 June 2019

Protesters in masks and goggles chant slogans outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on June 12, 2019

Hong Kong profile

  • Published 24 June 2019

Hong Kong port circa 1890

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U.S. Travelers Can Now Enter to Win Hong Kong Tourism’s Massive Flight Giveaway—Here’s How

500,000 flights are being given away to travelers from around the world..

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Sunset over Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong

It’s about to be a lot cheaper to travel to Hong Kong—at least, if you’re one of the lucky winners.

Photo by Shutterstock

Hong Kong is offering 500,000 free flights to visitors in an effort to revive tourism after being mostly closed off to international travelers for nearly three years during the pandemic. The tickets have been doled out in phases. The initial batches were only available to Southeast Asia residents and then to those in mainland China. But now, North Americans are finally able to apply.

The giveaway is part of a recently launched Hong Kong Tourism campaign, titled “Hello, Hong Kong” —an effort to welcome back the 56 million travelers who visited the city annually prepandemic.

Here’s what you need to know about snagging a free airline ticket to Hong Kong.

How to get free and discounted airline tickets to Hong Kong

On May 17 at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST, contestants in the United States will be able to enter for their chance at one of the round-trip economy class tickets to Hong Kong. The tickets will be distributed through Cathay Pacific’s website, on a first-come, first-served basis. If they’re not already, customers need to first become a Cathay member (which is free ) and then visit the promotional page of the airline’s website to receive a promo code to book. (Our advice would be to go ahead and sign up for a Cathay account in advance of the giveaway.)

The flights to Hong Kong will be available from Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. It’s unclear how many tickets are available—per a press release “a limited number” have been allotted for Americans.

Additional caveats include:

  • Passengers will still need to pay airport fees, surcharges, and taxes on the tickets
  • Only one ticket is available per transaction
  • Customers must travel within the next nine months with a minimum stay of two days and a maximum stay of one month
  • All tickets are non-transferable and non-exchangeable (and only the taxes and surcharges are refundable)

Other giveaways

In addition to the flight giveaway, Hong Kong is offering travelers “Hong Kong goodies,” a collection of freebies and vouchers that include their choice of:

  • A welcome drink at more than 100 participating restaurants, bars, and hotels
  • A cash voucher worth HK$100 (USD$12.75 currently), which can be used for dining and shopping
  • An “exclusive gift” that will be provided to visitors at attractions and museums throughout the city

The vouchers are being distributed at the Hong Kong International Airport visitor center, Kowloon visitor center, and the Kong Kong West Kowloon station visitor center throughout 2023.

The effects of the pandemic on Hong Kong’s tourism sector

The airline ticket giveaway is part of a larger Hong Kong COVID relief package. During the early days of the pandemic, Hong Kong gave the airlines $255 million to stay afloat. Some of that money is now being used to supplement the flights.

While only 500,000 flights will be given away, Fred Lam, CEO of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, said, “We hope those who secure the air tickets can bring two or three more relatives and friends to the city. . . . We believe this can help bring Hong Kong over 1.5 million visitors.”

From 2020 until the end of 2022, Hong Kong largely aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero-COVID” strategy (an effort to keep the number of COVID cases as close to zero as possible). It eventually started to relax its entry rules, but at a slower pace than other Asian countries, such as Singapore , Japan , and Taiwan . The city only dropped the last of its COVID travel rules in late December 2022 (though masking indoors and on public transport is still mandatory).

Hong Kong received 56 million visitors in 2019—more than seven times its population—before the pandemic began. But its strict COVID-19 restrictions had a severe impact on visitor numbers over the past three years, devastating the tourism sector and its economy. Hong Kong’s 2022 visitor numbers were just 1 percent of the 2019 numbers, and the city’s GDP last year fell 3.5 percent compared to 2021, according to government data.

At the start of this year, Hong Kong finally dropped its mandatory hotel quarantine rule and PCR tests for incoming travelers, resulting in a slight increase in arrival figures.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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Lead channel, alipay+ enables digital payment from 14 overseas e-wallets in hong kong.

Source: Alipay+

Users of 14 popular overseas e-wallets from 9 countries and regions can now make payments in Hong Kong using their home apps through Alipay+, a suite of cross-border mobile payment and digitalization technology solutions operated by Ant International.

This covers a population of approximately over 1.2 billion, allowing them to enjoy a safe and seamless payment experience in “Asia’s World City” as the number of inbound tourists to Hong Kong continues to rise. Powered by Alipay+, users of these popular e-wallets will enjoy smooth payment experience with transparent and competitive exchange rates in Hong Kong whenever they encounter the Alipay+ / AlipayHK logo at the merchants in the city. Local merchants, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), can seamlessly accept payments from 14 global e-wallet operators through their existing AlipayHK payment codes, thereby further expanding their businesses without the needs of any additional investment. Popular e-wallets and bank apps newly brought to the city by Alipay+ include MPay (Macao SAR, China), Changi Pay and OCBC Digital (Singapore), GCash and HelloMoney (The Philippines), Hipay (Mongolia), Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss Pay (South Korea), MyPB by Public Bank Berhad and Touch 'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), TrueMoney (Thailand), and Tinaba (Italy). Similar to Alipay (Chinese mainland), these newly enabled wallets are now accepted at over 90% of the local outlets in Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is known for its breathtaking sceneries, vibrant city and community life, and the east-meet-west culture, as well as shopping, food, sightseeing, and public services, an exciting place that any globetrotters shouldn't miss,” said Venetia Lee, CEO of AlipayHK and Greater China General Manager of Ant International. “When we pay like locals, we can travel and experience the culture like locals. We are so excited to help users of our 14 wallet partners to expand their presence to over 90% of local merchants through AlipayHK’s network. This allows hassle-free payments, promotes the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry, and helps local merchants enhance the effectiveness of their promotional activities through digital technology,” said Lee. This represents the largest number of international payment apps introduced to the city’s offline commercial network through cross-border cooperation at a single time. In the meanwhile, Alipay+ and its wallet partners have also announced to create a joint mechanism on customer services -- Alipay+ Service Collaboration Mechanism -- in Hong Kong to support partners in improving cross-border payment experiences, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing better services to global digital wallet users and merchants through operational collaboration and product innovation. Since 2023, Hong Kong has seen a continued growth of inbound travellers following the launch of global campaigns by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to welcome visitors from all around the world. In 2023, more than 34 million travellers visited Hong Kong, and in the first quarter of 2024, a total of 11.23 million visitor arrivals were recorded. This represents 1.5 times year-on-year increment and demonstrates the continued and gradual growth of visitor arrivals. “Hong Kong is a world-class tourism destination. As the city's tourism promotion organization, the Hong Kong Tourism Board attracts visitors to Hong Kong through various global promotions and marketing initiatives. We hope the trade can capture the opportunities brought along by visitors and roll out new products to enhance visitors’ experience in Hong Kong together and stimulate consumption to maximize the contribution of the tourism industry to the economy,” said Ms Becky Ip, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, who joined the launch to celebrate the largest cross-border mobile payment project the city has seen. Mr Kang Sang Ho, Managing Director of Shilla Travel Retail (HK) Limited, said, “We are excited to be the first travel retailer to introduce Alipay+ to Hong Kong. We can now offer a more seamless and fruitful shopping experience to our customers and bring “Retail-tainment” to real life. Foreseeing the strong return of air passengers, we are confident that there will be a promising growth in our sales through the strategic partnership with Alipay+.” “As Alipay+ helps more payment partners expand into larger markets, we must always uphold our shared commitments to consumers and merchants, and support our partners to provide more reliable, smooth and high-quality experiences for the cross-border users. Through this proactive Alipay+ Service Collaboration Mechanism, we can more efficiently solve problems, create greater user values, and help partners improve their operational efficiency,” said Jake Xue, General Manager for Global Business Service and Support, Ant International. “Hong Kong is one of the most beloved destinations to Korean tourists. We are happy to hear that Kakao Pay users can continue their convenient payment experience in Hong Kong in the same way as in Korea. Through this expansion, we expect to provide a high-quality payment experience for both Korean users and Hong Kong merchants,” said Won-Keun Shin, CEO of Kakao Pay, South Korea. “We have been cooperating with Alipay+ to ensure that digital payments take root around the world and will continue innovation together,” said Shin. “Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Mongolians. Mongolian travellers benefit from visa-free entry, making it an attractive spot to visit. We are thrilled about the official launch of Alipay+ in Hong Kong, offering our users the convenience of paying with their home wallet,” said Saikanjargal Enkh-Amgalan, CEO of Hipay, Mongolia. Alan Ni, CEO of TNG eWallet, Malaysia, conveyed his appreciation, stating, “We are pleased to be recognized as one of Alipay+’s esteemed International eWallet partners. Through this collaboration, TNG eWallet users can conveniently make payments and immerse themselves in new cultures, such as the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, all thanks to Alipay+. Since the introduction of our overseas QR payment feature in Hong Kong in October 2023, we've observed steady growth that underscores our commitment to serving our users as the preferred eWallet in Malaysia. We remain dedicated to ensuring our users feel supported wherever they go, equipped with a familiar eWallet experience that truly makes them feel like they're experiencing life like a local.” Addressing the launch of cross-border payment in Hong Kong, Monsinee Nakapanant, Co-President of Ascend Money, the operator of TrueMoney, Thailand, said, “Hong Kong has always been ranked in the list of top destinations for Thai travellers due to its vibrant city life, shopping opportunities, culinary experiences, and iconic attractions. Almost half a million Thais travel to Hong Kong each year. We feel thankful for Alipay+’s expansive network and are excited to include Hong Kong as one of our cross-border footprint and destinations, where Thais can use their home wallet to pay with ease, convenience, and greater peace of mind.” “Our partnership with Alipay+ has significantly expanded the number of countries in which our customers can use OCBC Digital to make cross-border payments. Our customers’ expenditure in Greater China, including Hong Kong, has almost doubled since six months ago. In Hong Kong, transaction value in March was 5 times higher compared to February, most likely due to the school holidays. These figures show that our OCBC Digital users see value in using the app to make cross-border payments, and our tie-up with Alipay+ has enabled them to do so without having to exchange cash or download additional e-wallet apps”, said Sunny Quek, Head of Global Consumer Financial Services, OCBC, Singapore. Sun Ho, Chairman and CEO of Macau Pass, Macao SAR, said: “I am very delighted to see that through collaboration with Alipay+, our e-wallet MPay enables residents of Macao to enjoy a seamless cross-border mobile payment experience in Hong Kong without the need for currency exchange, thus greatly enhancing the convenience and security of payments. This significantly enhances the convenience and security of payments and also meets the needs for cross-border financial transactions within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. MPay is committed to expanding in electronic payment services, lifestyle services, and marketing technology services, continuously opening up and enriching the application scenarios of cross-border mobile wallet payments, allowing the world to gain a deeper understanding of the inclusive ecosystem and vitality of Macao's digital economy.” “We are thrilled to further strengthen our bond with a world-class partner like Alipay+. The launch of the Alipay+ service in Hong Kong marks a significant step in our strategic plan and underscores our commitment to a key market in the global economy. This partnership not only reaffirms Tinaba as the leading European operator but also distinguishes us as the sole provider in Italy of this advanced technology. Thanks to this collaboration, our Italian clients can now directly access the largest mobile payment ecosystem in Asia, straight from our app,” states Matteo Arpe, Chairman of Tinaba, Italy. “As we see Filipino travellers to Hong Kong reach pre-pandemic levels, our enhanced partnership with Alipay+ couldn’t have come at a better time. This makes GCash the best way to pay not only in the Philippines but also in Hong Kong as we offer real-time forex rates, no service fees, as well as deals and discounts,” said Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International, The Philippines. Jae-Ho Choi, Head of Toss Pay Business, South Korea, stated, “Toss Pay now provides more than 19 million monthly active users with an easy and seamless offline payment service in 49 countries and regions, including Hong Kong. With a strong partnership with Alipay+, Toss Pay will expand its business in the global payment sector.” “As the outbound tourism on the Chinese mainland is showing strong growth momentum, in 2024, we have collaborated with millions of merchants worldwide to continuously launch new campaigns and offerings to enrich users’ payment experience and help merchant partners’ business growth. From May 1, we will also start allowing Alipay users to obtain energy at the in-app mini program Ant Forest when they take public transport with their Alipay app in Hong Kong, on the backdrop of our continued endeavour to enable sustainable travels among Chinese tourists when travelling to all over the world,” said Huang Ya’nan, Head of Outbound Travel, Alipay. Introduced by Ant International in 2020, Alipay+ now connects over 88 million merchants in 57 countries and regions to 1.5 billion consumer accounts across more than 25 e-wallets and bank apps, allowing consumers to travel and pay hassle-free globally, and merchants to expand cross-border consumer engagement and digital marketing. The service also builds on Alipay+’s extensive regional partnerships, including collaborations with national QR schemes including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s PayNet, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Sri Lanka's LankaPay and Cambodia's KHQR. From online to offline, digital payments powered by Alipay+ are widely accepted by key merchants from Asian and European markets, spanning sectors such as food & beverage (F&B), tourism and hospitality, retail and transportation. In addition to Hong Kong, Alipay+ partner wallets have already been accepted at various major global destinations including the Chinese mainland and Macao SAR, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Europe and the Middle East. Ant Group now offers 2 mobile payment alternatives for overseas visitors in the Chinese mainland. A total of 11 overseas e-wallets and bank apps have already been enabled for payment at Alipay+’s extensive network of 80 million merchants in the Chinese mainland. Travellers may also choose to bind major international bank cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover®, and Diners Club International, to an Alipay app to access a rich array of local Alipay services from shopping, dining, ride-hailing to public transportation while in the Chinese mainland, without needing a local bank account or phone number. AlipayHK, the most popular e-wallet in Hong Kong with about 4 million active users, is widely accepted at more than 90% of local offline outlets for seamless payments.

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  • Discover Hong Kong

'Hong Kong Pals' Volunteer Programme

hong kong tourism board uk

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, ' Hong Kong Pals ' is a volunteer programme that encourages people from all walks of life to share their personal recommendations and tips so that visitors can explore the city like a local. Tourists can simply pop into our  visitor centres and chat to a ‘ Hong Kong Pals ’.

From now until 31 May 2024, Hong Kong residents can apply to become ‘ Hong Kong Pals ’. For more information, please click below or visit the ' Hong Kong Pals ' Facebook fan page for the latest updates.

What ‘Hong Kong Pals’ Say

hong kong tourism board uk

Agnes Tam: “I am proud to share the hidden gems of Hong Kong with visitors. A “thank you” with a smile from visitors in return has been the most rewarding part of my 12 years serving as a Hong Kong Pal.”

hong kong tourism board uk

Marco Kwok: “I’ve been a Hong Kong Pal for six years. It has given me extensive opportunities to discover Hong Kong’s rich culture and its many sightseeing attractions and festivals. Most importantly, I have been able to get involved in the different mega events organised by the HKTB. I know that I am co-creating a memorable and joyful travel experience for tourists, and that is a source of great personal satisfaction for me.”

hong kong tourism board uk

Pat Wong: “This is my 14th year as a Hong Kong Pal and this programme enriches my understanding of the city where I live and strengthens my inter-personnel skills too. I always find something interesting and fun when I interact with visitors. Are you interested? Then come and join us.”

hong kong tourism board uk

Vienna Lee: “It is an honour to be part of the Hong Kong Pal team. It has given me a deeper understanding of Hong Kong and a greater sense of belonging.”

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  1. Home

    Hello Hong Kong! Discover the best experiences, events, shopping, dining, vacation packages, maps, guided tours, and travel planning itineraries with Hong Kong's official tourism guide. Visit Hong Kong to explore the unique living culture and experience Asia's top travel destination.

  2. Hong Kong Tourism Board

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a Government-subvented body founded in 2001. The Board replaced the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) established in 1957. It has 15 branch offices and representative offices in 6 markets around the world, and its primary mission is to maximize the social and economic contribution that tourism makes to ...

  3. Entry requirements

    Hong Kong is part of the People's Republic of China, but it is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls. You can visit Hong Kong for up to 6 months without a visa.

  4. Hong Kong (SAR of China) travel advice

    This travel advice covers the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). For mainland China, see travel advice for China and for Macao SAR, see Macao travel advice. The Foreign, Commonwealth ...

  5. Hong Kong Tourism| Travel agents information

    HKTB Announces Visitor Arrivals of 11.23 Million for First Quarter of 2024 Which Increases by 1.5 Times Year on Year HKTB Update. Hong Kong Becomes First Outbound Destination of Mainland to Confirm Strategic Partnership on Cultural Tourism Promotion with Xiaohongshu HKTB Partners with Xiaohongshu to Maximise Exposure for Hong Kong HKTB Update.

  6. Hong Kong Tourism Board

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and to enhance visitors' experience once they arrive. The HKTB is headquartered in Hong Kong. Currently it has a worldwide network of 15 offices and has representatives in six different markets.

  7. Hong Kong Sends its Biggest Welcome to the World: "Hello Hong Kong

    To entice globetrotters to embark on a long-awaited visit to Hong Kong, 500,000 free air tickets will be given away by the Airport Authority Hong Kong to different markets in phases, through three ...

  8. An expert travel guide to Hong Kong

    British Consulate-General: 1, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong; 00 852 2901 3000; gov.uk. Foreign Office travel advice: ... Hong Kong Tourism Board: 00 852 2508 1234; ...

  9. Hong Kong Tourism Board

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and to enhance visitors' experience once they arrive. The HKTB is headquartered in Hong Kong. Currently it has a worldwide network of 15 offices and has representatives in six different markets.

  10. The Hong Kong Tourism Board Announces Strategies to Drive Tourism

    HONG KONG and LOS ANGELES, March 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced a series of flexible short-term and medium-to-long-term strategies to prepare for the return ...

  11. Hong Kong Tourism Board

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board is tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide. Foreign yet familiar, the city is a true melting pot of eastern and western cultures, and old and new aspects of the city live side by side perfectly. Renowned for its skyscrapers, rooftop bars, incredible views and fine dining, there is ...

  12. Covid: Hong Kong to lure tourists with free air tickets

    Hong Kong says it will give away 500,000 airline tickets, worth HK$2bn ($254.8m; £224.3m), as it tries to boost its Covid-hit tourism industry. The city rolled back several of its coronavirus ...

  13. Hong Kong Free Air Tickets: How To Get Free Flights Via Cathay Pacific

    Grace Beard. Wednesday 17 May 2023. Last year, the Hong Kong tourist board announced plans to give away half a million free plane tickets to encourage tourism in 2023 - and now it's finally ...

  14. Home

    Hello Hong Kong! Discover the best experiences, events, shopping, dining, maps, guided tours, and itineraries with Hong Kong's official tourism guide recommendations. Explore Hong Kong's unique international living culture and Asia's top travel destination.

  15. Hong Kong launches campaign with VR experiences globally to revive

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Monday launched the "360 Hong Kong Moments" campaign globally, featuring virtual-reality (VR) experiences, to turn the international spotlight on the tourism hub and get ready for tourism recovery. The campaign highlighted VR films on Hong Kong's natural scenery and cultural activities. And the first 360 ...

  16. Hong Kong Tourism Board

    Discover Hong Kong, the official travel guide of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, offers you everything you need to plan your perfect trip to this vibrant and diverse city. Explore the iconic attractions, events, shopping, dining, and wellness options that Hong Kong has to offer, and find the best deals and packages for your stay. Experience the unique culture and charm of Hong Kong, Asia's top ...

  17. Hong Kong protests: How badly has tourism been affected?

    The tourism industry is one of the major pillars of Hong Kong's economy, contributing around 5% of the city's GDP. A large majority of Hong Kong's visitors come from mainland China.

  18. Hong Kong Tourism Board Stages Tourism Overview as Destination Returns

    HONG KONG & LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2023--The Hong Kong Tourism Board held its Tourism Overview 2023 with the theme "Striding Forward in a Steady Recovery."

  19. Hong Kong's 500,000 Flight Giveaway Opens to U.S. Travelers

    Hong Kong is offering 500,000 free flights to visitors in an effort to revive tourism after being mostly closed off to international travelers for nearly three years during the pandemic. The tickets have been doled out in phases. The initial batches were only available to Southeast Asia residents and then to those in mainland China.

  20. Alipay+ enables digital payment from 14 overseas e-wallets in Hong Kong

    Since 2023, Hong Kong has seen a continued growth of inbound travellers following the launch of global campaigns by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to welcome visitors from all around the world.

  21. 'Hong Kong Pals' Volunteer Programme

    Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, 'Hong Kong Pals' is a volunteer programme that encourages people from all walks of life to share their personal recommendations and tips so that visitors can explore the city like a local.Tourists can simply pop into our visitor centres and chat to a 'Hong Kong Pals'.. From now until 31 May 2024, Hong Kong residents can apply to become 'Hong Kong ...