Hong Kong Government to Give Away 500,000 Free Airline Tickets.
500,000 Free Airline Tickets.
Script:
The Hong Kong government has recently announced a new initiative called "Hello Hong Kong" which aims to revive the city's tourism industry. As part of this initiative, the government will be giving away 500,000 free airline tickets to attract visitors back to the city.This plan has been in the works for over two years and will cost the city approximately $254.8 million. The free tickets will be spread out among the city's three airlines, Cathay Pacific, HK Express, and Hongkong Airlines. The initiative is set to start on March 1st, when travelers across Southeast Asia can visit the World of Winners splash page and enter their names into the flight ticket lottery. From April 1st, people living in mainland China can enter, and from May 1st, residents from the rest of the world can join in.Even locals will have the chance to win free airline tickets starting from July 1st. This is an opportunity for Hong Kong residents to make up for lost travel time.
Even locals will have the chance to win free airline tickets starting from July 1st. This is an opportunity for Hong Kong residents to make up for lost travel time.However, visitors who have been to Hong Kong before may find that the city has changed. Some local attractions have closed permanently, while others have undergone renovations during the pandemic. Hong Kong's slow and cautious approach to the coronavirus pandemic meant that strict quarantines and multiple PCR tests made it challenging and expensive to travel in and out of the city.Before the pandemic, Hong Kong was a popular tourist destination, attracting around 56 million visitors in a typical year. However, by 2022, that number had plummeted to only about 100,000, leading to the city's largest population drop since 1961. Even local Hong Kong residents were affected by the pandemic's impact, and a Facebook group with over 30,000 members helped people support each other through the challenging times.
"provides hope."
The "Hello Hong Kong" initiative is a step towards encouraging tourism and rebuilding the city's economy. Despite concerns that it may be too late, the end of quarantines in September 2022 provided hope for the city's future.
Questions:
Part 1: Comprehension
Read and summarize the article thinking of who, what, when, where & why.
Part 2: True or False Questions
a) True or False - The Hong Kong government has announced a new initiative called "Hello Hong Kong" to improve the city's tourism industry. T/F
b) True or False - They have been working on the plan for 2 months. T/F
c) True or False - Visitors from all over the world can join in the flight ticket lottery starting from March 1st. T/F
d) True or False - Hong Kong had strict quarantine rule during COVID. T/F
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary/phrases.
a) "Initiative"
b) "Lottery"
c) "Renovations"
d) "Plummeted"
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use - Write an example sentence using the words from 3a.
a) Initiative:
b) Lottery:
c) Renovations:
d) Plummeted:
Part 5: Talking Points
Part 6: Role play Scenarios
One student can play the role of a travel agent, while another student plays the role of a customer interested in visiting Hong Kong. The travel agent can provide information about the "Hello Hong Kong" initiative and answer any questions the customer might have. They can discuss flight options, accommodation, and things to see and do in the city.
One student can play the role of an airline employee, while another student plays the role of a passenger traveling to Hong Kong. The airline employee can provide information about the flight, answer any questions the passenger might have, and discuss safety procedures related to the pandemic.
One student can play the role of a tourist visiting Hong Kong for the first time, while another student plays the role of a local resident. The tourist can ask the local for recommendations on places to visit, restaurants to try, and cultural events to attend. The local can provide insights on local customs and traditions, as well as share personal stories and experiences.
Part 7: Writing Activity
Giving advice - Imagine that you meet a tourist visiting your country for the first time. Give them some advice on what they should see and do?
Part 8: Critical Thinking - Tourist guide.
In groups select a country anywhere in the world and create a tourist guide for a 4 day adventure there, then present it to the class. (Don’t choose your own country)
Think about: hotels, food, activities, sights and cost.
Lastly get ready for a question and answer session after each presentation, then decide on which country you would like to visit most.
Answers:
Part 1: Comprehension
The main idea of the article is that the Hong Kong government has announced a new initiative called "Hello Hong Kong" to revive the city's tourism industry, which includes giving away 500,000 free airline tickets to attract visitors back to the city. The article discusses the cost of the initiative, the airlines involved, and the lottery process for travelers to enter to win free tickets. It also mentions the impact of the pandemic on Hong Kong's tourism industry and how the "Hello Hong Kong" initiative is a step towards encouraging tourism and rebuilding the city's economy. The article was likely written to inform readers about the new initiative and its potential impact on Hong Kong's tourism industry.
Part 2: True or False
A: True B: False C: False D: True
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary or phrases.
a) "Initiative" Answer: This is a new plan or strategy to achieve a particular goal or solve a problem. In the context of the article, the "Hello Hong Kong" initiative aims to revive the city's tourism industry.
b) "Lottery" Answer: This is a process or drawing of lots in which winners are selected at random. In the context of the article, travelers can enter their names into the flight ticket lottery to win free airline tickets.
c) "Renovations" Answer: This is the act of improving or modernizing a building or structure. In the context of this article it means, some local attractions have undergone renovations during the pandemic.
d) "Plummeted" Answer: This is to fall or drop suddenly and steeply. In the context of the article, the number of visitors to Hong Kong plummeted from around 56 million in a typical year to only about 100,000 due to the pandemic's impact.
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use - Write an example sentence using the words from 3a. (examples)
a) Initiative: She took the initiative to organize a charity fundraiser for the local animal shelter.
b) Lottery: She won the lottery and suddenly found herself with a life-changing amount of money.
c) Renovations: The renovations to the old Victorian house brought it back to its former glory, with fresh paint, restored woodwork, and modern amenities.
d) Plummeted: After the company's poor earnings report, its stock price plummeted, causing investors to panic.
Part 7: Writing (example)
I'd recommend exploring South Korea starting with Seoul. It's a great place to begin your journey. You can visit historical places like palaces and traditional neighborhoods. Be sure to taste the amazing Korean food, like bibimbap and street snacks. Try immersing yourself in Korean culture by renting a hanbok, visiting tea houses, and watching traditional shows. If you're into nature, consider hiking in beautiful places like Seoraksan and Jirisan. Discover the history in Gyeongju and relax in hot springs or public bathhouses called jjimjilbangs. Don't miss the lively K-Pop scene and entertainment areas like Hongdae. If you have time, a trip to Jeju Island is worth it, and learning about the DMZ is also fascinating. Lastly, respect local customs and etiquette to have a wonderful experience. Have a fantastic trip!
