Hong Kong Airlines and KFC Making 2023 the Year of Free

This year, to help drum up some more tourist action, Hong Kong launched a new campaign with a whole bunch of tried-and-trusted marketing campaigns. Hello Hong Kong funded some 200 large-scale events across this year, ranging from entertainment to arts and culture, business meetings, and a bunch of free gifts and giveaways through key partners.

Not only did this include hundreds of thousands of free flights, but some arrivals were even treated to additional goodies. We’re talking welcome drinks coupons, welcome gifts, and even cash vouchers! However, the freebies weren’t limited to airline arrivals, with some other companies catching on to the power of these giveaways.

Freebies on top of freebies in Hong Kong

The centerpiece of the Hello Hong Kong campaign has been the free flights. Initially, the 500,000 tickets being distributed by Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Cathay Pacific were supposed to run from March until around September. In October, following the rampant success of the campaign, Hong Kong Airlines opted to pick up the freebie promotion campaign again.

Complete with a free 20kg bag, more free tickets started to be given out on October 17, with first-come winners being able to pick their destination. Seoul, Bangkok, Bali, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and Sapporo were all on the table. As for the trips themselves, winners would get between two and seven days away on dates up to March 24 next year.

Along with all of the free gifts and airline tickets being given out by the government and connected businesses, international companies within Hong Kong also got in on the game. Throughout October, KFC set out its own KFC Truck to stop by commercial areas and universities to give out some free food. Visitors of the Royal Peninsula Bridge, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and the Sheung Wan Civic Centre all got themselves some free KFC!

A proven strategy for all kinds of business

Source: Pixabay

Free giveaway campaigns, free samples, and completely free products invariably win over potential customers – provided that the freebie gives something of real value. Naturally, free airline tickets and cash on arrival are very valuable freebies that will have people clamoring to get in on the action. As KFC showcased, though, a taste of the brand can be plenty for a freebie campaign to work.

This year, it hasn’t just been Hong Kong that’s seen the freebies flowing. Online, no deposit free spins have swiftly become the most coveted of online casino promos. Usually, the welcome bonuses require a deposit, but now, at Casimba, no deposit free spins give the bonus just for creating an account. On top of that, the free spins are tied to the most popular online slot going: Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead.

The same can be seen being put up by a bunch of other companies, too. In the UK, Burger King in Swindon decided to do a 1,000-burger giveaway over the course of one week. Also in the UK, noodle bar Chopstix offered out 1,000 free portions of spring rolls for anyone who came by on their opening day in Beaconsfield. You can also spot online outlets like AutoTrader giving away vehicles through free giveaways, like the Tesla Model Y in September.

In all instances, the businesses can expect those who partake in getting freebies to stick around as a result of reciprocity or come back for the full-fat experience down the line. This is what Hong Kong has banked on and seemingly succeeded with its campaign. Hello Hong Kong has been anchored by free stuff throughout 2023, but if it proves to be a very successful campaign, perhaps it’ll continue through 2024 too.