It’s time to pack your bags and see the world again — and where better to start than in Hong Kong.
“Yes, Hong Kong is now finally open,” says Donald Morris, Cathay Pacific country manager for the Philippines. “There are no more restrictions in Hong Kong. The borders are open. It’s ready to welcome back visitors.”
After the pandemic brought the travel industry into a virtual standstill, the international and domestic tourism is gradually restarting and reopening its doors to travelers. Airlines are reinstating routes.
“From survival mode from the last three years now we really are into recovery mode,” adds Morris.
To encourage more people to travel and revisit Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific will hold its first Travel Fair (since the start of the pandemic) from 19 to 21 May at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. The theme of the travel fair is Hong Kong and Cathay has partnered with Hong Kong Tourism Board and Klook to bring a unique experience to each traveler.
“People are ready to travel and eager to travel again,” observes Morris. “Looking at the last quarter of travelers into HK, topping the list is the Philippines. Filipinos love HK. It’s their number one destination. “
He adds: “HK is ready and busy now. You don’t see yet the massive influx of travelers from the mainland. It’s nice to go now.”
Cathay Pacific or CX now flies five times a day from Manila to HK and will soon increase to six times a day by December. From Cebu, it’s four times a week and will increase to five times a week starting July.
“We are nearly in pre-pandemic levels and by the end of the year, we are going to reach 70 percent. By the end of 2004, we are back to 100 percent,” Morris states.
Travel deals
Cathay Pacific fair will showcase great travel deals. More partners in HK must-experience destinations, such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Legoland Discovery Centre Hong Kong will each offer exclusive deals for all attendees.
CX offers buy-one-take-one promo on Hong Kong flight tickets at only US$103 or around P5,800 per person, exclusive of taxes.
Several partner banks — BDO, BPI, Citi, HSBC, Metrobank, RCBC, Security Bank and Union Bank — will also participate, offering zero-percent interest payments, free gifts and more.
Booking platform Klook will offer eight-percent off on all HK activities, with discounts of up to P8,000 on a minimum spend requirement of P2,500. The same eight-percent discount is extended to booking of HK hotels and on all HK products, with up to P15,000 discount for a minimum purchase requirement of P8,000.
Families looking to visit Hong Kong Disneyland can avail the “Four for the Price of Three” promo via Klook, which will provide a one-day pass during regular day, peak day or peak plus day with an additional Disney Premier Access.
Another “Four for the Price of Three” promo will come from Ocean Park Hong Kong, also via Klook. Tickets will come with meals for a complete tour package. Premier wax museum Madame Tussauds Hong Kong also offers discounts on its in-house digital photo service. A similar deal from Legoland Discovery Centre Hong Kong will also be up for grabs.
Cathay membership
Morris says the fair will also feature Southeast Asia’s very first Cathay lifestyle booth, a pop-up installation that provides information about the perks of signing up as a CX member plus a showcase of signature items from the Cathay Shop. Customers can purchase from the shop through Cathay Pacific website (www.cathaypacific.com) or CX shop in City Plaza mall in Hong Kong using their miles or miles plus cash and earn miles as well.
Morris explains that being a Cathay member is one of many ways that the airline is able to connect with customers beyond flights.
“We’re bringing the Cathay lifestyle to travelers through this event. We want to share what it means to become a Cathay member and how they can be rewarded whether they are in the air or on the ground.”
Cathay Pacific Travel Fair is open to the public.