United Airlines chairman and CEO Glenn F. Tilton outlines Hong Kong’s importance as an air transportation nexus

UA is declaring October "Visit Hong Kong Month", by which time it plans to fully restore all flights previously cut. 

 "Hong Kong sits at the nexus of some of the most critical trade flows in the world," said Glenn F. Tilton, chairman and CEO of UA during a visit to the SAR. He said this promotion campaign is a gesture to acknowledge the importance of Hong Kong and Asia to the airline as it celebrates 20 years of operation in the city.

"The role of air transportation is particularly important in Hong Kong as this city positions itself as a vital hub for commerce with southern China," Mr Tilton said.

The recent signing of the Chinese mainland-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa) would only boost traffic, he added. "It's important in helping Hong Kong remain a premier business centre and travel destination.¡¨

Mr Tilton said the objective of "Visit Hong Kong Month" was to drive traffic to this area through a variety of promotional activities in co-operation with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Top travel agents come on board

"In partnership, we can do much to bring people and potential commerce to Hong Kong and further fuel its economic recovery. This will help strengthen Hong Kong's connection to - and position in - the region."

Mr Tilton added that UA was finalising a programme to bring top US travel agents to Hong Kong to help them promote the destination to their customers.

"We intend to continue this kind of activity. Every dollar spent on air travel stimulates a multiplier effect, circling several times around the local economy to everyone's benefit - from the vendor at Hong Kong International Airport to the trendy restaurant in Hong Kong's SoHo district."

HKTB chairman Selina Chow welcomed the UA promotion campaign, which she said would send a strong message to US travellers that the airline industry has full confidence in Hong Kong as a destination.

"It ties in perfectly with our new global advertising campaign: Hong Kong - Live it, Love it! This campaign is endorsed by our long-standing official tourism ambassador Jackie Chan, who enjoys enormous popularity in the US."

During the campaign, an estimated 2.5 to 3 million passengers on UA flights will see two promotional videos, one featuring Jackie Chan and the other a co-branded HKTB/United Vacations Hong Kong Holiday Package.  

Related links:
UA www.ual.com
HKTB www.discoverhongkong.com