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Hong Kong will always be one of my favorite places to visit in Asia for a lot of reasons. To name a few, it’s so convenient to go to (just a 2-hour plane ride away) and get around in (MTR forever!), it’s relatively not as expensive as traveling to other countries, and you just never run out of things to do: shop, eat, sight-see, party—did I mention shopping already?

I first visited Hong Kong in 2007, with my parents, when I was in between jobs. I think it was also the first time I ever flew them to somewhere. It was my first trip out of the country, too. I will never forget it. We did all the touristy things: We visited The Peak, Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Big Buddha; and shopped, of course! A lot of stuff are just so much cheaper there, and the sales are spectacular (besides the actual stores there are outlets)! Plus, let’s not forget the Temple Street Night Market and Ladies’ Market. I went back to HK several more times since, some times for work, and at least a couple more times with friends and family.

Each experience was always different, and I always discovered something new with each trip. The times I went to Hong Kong for work over the last few years involved trying a lot of new restaurants, checking out malls, and photographing less common tourist spots, like Stanley Beach. The last time I was there was in 2013, and that’s when I discovered (belatedly, I must admit) the wonders of Lan Kwai Fong. That is one happy and happening party place that night owls shouldn’t miss when in HK!

I’m aching to go back, especially in the next couple of months. Imagine doing ALL of these things and getting rewarded for it, because Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) just launched their massive Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign, just for tourists, that will last from June 15 to August 31, 2015. It’s a gift that just keeps giving, from the moment you land on the Hong Kong International Airport, where you can get your VIP Card and win an INSTANT prize in the raffle (shopping and dining GCs and gadgets, anyone?), all the way up to departure, where you can join an even grander raffle with almost P2M worth of prizes at stake! Plus, there are room and dining deals from HKTB’s over 70 partner hotels! Excited yet? Read on for the full details.

Countdown promo

HKTB already has a countdown promo on Facebook, where you can win a 4-day, 3-night trip to Hong Kong plus a 3-night cruise, even before you book an actual trip within their campaign period. Click this link to join the promo now, which is ongoing until June 14.

Upon arrival

When you land at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), before the immigration area, you can already take part in the Instant Mega Draw to win awesome instant prizes, besides getting a FREE 7-Day CSL Wi-Fi Pass (which we ABSOLUTELY NEED for all our social media travel posts) just by participating in the raffle. ON TOP OF THAT, you will instantly win a prize that can be anything from jewelry, designer watches, and 4-day, 3-night cruise trips to HK$1,000 (P5,800) UnionPay Card spending credits, tickets for attractions, HK$1,000 (P5,800) shopping mall cash coupons, and dining vouchers. Everyone wins!

What to do: Present your Welcome Pack that you will get at the pre-immigration hall at the HKIA plus your valid travel documents (passport) at the e-lucky draw booth, where you can participate just once. There are two Lucky Draw Booths: one opposite Starbucks at Arrival Hall A Level 5 and another opposite Big Chill at Arrival Hall B Level 5. You immediately get the free Wi-Fi pass I mentioned plus one prize.

Deals around the city

Once in Hong Kong, you can continue to enjoy more summer fun with their Shop Eat Play campaign, highlighting three of the best things to do in Hong Kong: shopping, dining, and entertainment. Here are the things you can do to make the most of your time in Hong Kong:

1. Get your Shop Eat Play VIP Card (included in the Welcome Pack) distributed at the airport when you arrive, and use that to enjoy exclusive offers from malls, restaurants, hotels, and attractions across the city. Just present the VIP card and get discounts and privileges from participating merchants (check for the Hong Kong Summer Fun Shop Eat Play decal displayed, which has the logo below).

2. Download e-coupons from the HKTB website at DiscoverHongKong.com and the “My Hong Kong Guide” mobile application to enjoy lots of in-town special offers!

3. Enjoy attractive hotel accommodation offers. For instance, some hotels will give visitors who stay three nights one night free, while others will allow guests who stay three consecutive nights or more to be fully reimbursed with dining credits for use in their restaurants. Around 70 members under Hong Kong Hotels Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners (I saw Marco Polo hotels there) partnered with HKTB for this campaign, so before you book, make sure you choose a hotel that has this kind of offer.

4. Be thoroughly entertained at Hong Kong’s top playgrounds, with a huge array of events perfect for the sunny season. Play at Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Trick Eye Museum, The Peak, and Madame Tussauds (new K Wave and Kung Fu sections), all of which have new attractions and special summer features for the whole family. Here are just some events you may want to time your trip around:

• The Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show (July 17-August 2, 830PM, 9PM, 930PM, and 10PM nightly)
• Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O (June 20)
• Where’s Wally Hong Kong Adventure (July 9-August 9)
• Hong Kong Book Fair (July 15-21)
• Blur Live in Hong Kong (July 22)
• Ani-Com and Games 2015 (July 24-28)
• Lan Kwai Fong Beer & Music Fest (Aug. 8-9)
• Food Expo (Aug. 13-17)
• Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival (Aug. 21-24)

Before departure

But wait, it doesn’t even end there. A grand Hong Kong trip is also up for grabs with the Return To Hong Kong Like A Millionaire promo! Before you leave HK, don’t forget to fill out and drop your Shop Eat Play VIP Card in the draw ticket collection boxes in the HK airport departure area to get a chance to be one of 10 winners who will get a luxurious and pampering trip for two back to Hong Kong, valued at a minimum of HK$300,000 (P1,740,000)!

The trip includes business class flights, Vertu Mobile phone, limousine pick-up services, five-star hotel accommodations, helicopter ride, five-star spa treatment, fine dining at a Michelin restaurant, plus HK$50,000 (P290,000) spending money. The raffle draw is in September.

HKTB was also able to come up with special trade packages for Filipino travelers to Hong Kong, like a USD$160 all-in return airfare on Cathay Pacific Airways.

HKTB is giving away over P2.3B worth of prizes total through their Hong Kong Summer Fun promo. You have to take advantage of this most rewarding travel experience! For more details (and to get the e-coupons), log on to DiscoverHongKong.com.

Click here to book a hotel in Hong Kong via Agoda.

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