The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and China UnionPay have launched the UnionPay Discover Hong Kong Club promotional program. The joint initiative is designed to encourage repeat visits and spending by Mainland visitors in Hong Kong.
The UnionPay Discover Hong Kong Club accepts applications by China UnionPay cardholders. Once their applications have been approved, members can enjoy a range of welcome privileges by attraction and transport operators, and ongoing offers by more than 1,700 local merchant outlets. They can also earn bonus points when shopping at designated merchant outlets, and redeem the points for special privileges at different attractions and outlets prior to or during their visits to Hong Kong.
HKTB Chairman Selina Chow said that the HKTB has spared no efforts to collaborate with the Mainland travel trade. "Together with local trade partners, we introduced various creative and cost-effective marketing initiatives to maintain the growth momentum of the Mainland arrivals," she remarked. "In 2005, three quarters of Mainland travellers visited Hong Kong more than once. The UnionPay Discover Hong Kong Club will give them even more reasons to come to our city. It will enable us to implement more targeted promotions to reach the identified and high-potential segments."
China UnionPay President Wan Jianhua said that the UnionPay Discover Hong Kong Club, which capitalises on the HKTB's 2006 Discover Hong Kong Year campaign, will be mutually beneficially to both the HKTB and China UnionPay. "By making use of our extensive local merchant network and the UnionPay's bonus point system, we'll be able to encourage more Mainland visitors to come to Hong Kong, and use the UnionPay card for their spending. This will in turn help sustain the continuous development of Hong Kong's tourism industry."
Leveraging on the platform created by the UnionPay Discover Hong Kong Club, the HKTB and China UnionPay will introduce special offers and privileges for members at different times of the year and during the Mega Event periods, such as the 2006 Hong Kong Shopping Festival, the National Day Golden Week and Hong Kong WinterFest, giving members greater incentives to visit and spend in Hong Kong.