Star Wars and SpongeBob sightings this summer — Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Hong Kong family trips

▲ Hong Kong Ocean Park launches a SpongeBob-themed event during the summer. (Photo / Provided by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the same applies below)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

The "Hong Kong FUN Summer Giveaway," running from July 1 to August 31, will bring together dining, shopping, and entertainment — the highlight of every summer vacation. This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has partnered with Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, and EVA Air to offer a special deal on 3-day/2-night Hong Kong free-and-easy packages: "Buy 2 Adults, Get 1 Child Free."

During the Hong Kong FUN Summer Giveaway, the Lan Kwai Fong Music & Beer Festival was held on July 30–31; the A Symphony of Lights 3D light show will also run from August 5 to 28 on the exteriors of the Cultural Centre and the Clock Tower, delivering a stunning audiovisual experience. Hong Kong Disneyland has introduced a new "Star Wars™: Galaxy of Adventures" area this summer. In addition, Hong Kong Ocean Park, Sky100 Observation Deck, Hong Kong 4D Adventureland, and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong each feature different themes such as SpongeBob, Sanrio characters, and Sherlock Holmes.

▲ In April this year, Hong Kong launched a brand-new Anime Harbor, where visitors can interact and take photos with numerous popular anime characters.

For the first time this year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has collaborated with the well-known Hong Kong anime character "Din-Dong" to launch a family travel video campaign. Participants have a chance to win free round-trip tickets for the whole family to visit Hong Kong. In addition, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, and various travel agencies are also offering different versions of the 3-day/2-night Hong Kong free-and-easy package deal: "Buy 2 Adults, Get 1 Child Free." These are paired with various hotels, with adult prices starting from as low as HK$7,700 per person, plus extras such as Lan Fong Yuen meal vouchers, Tsui Wah Restaurant breakfasts, and Sky100 Observation Deck tickets. The 3-day/2-night double-person free-and-easy package also starts at HK$4,499 per person. Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong Ocean Park are offering special family package deals, while Sky100 Observation Deck, Hong Kong 4D Adventureland, and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong are giving buy 2 adults get 1 child free deals on admission.

▲ (From left) Shireen Sze, Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board Taiwan Office, Din-Dong, and Din-Dong creator Chen Yufeng. (Photo / By Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Shireen Sze, Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board Taiwan Office, said that from January to April 2016, the number of Taiwanese visitors to Hong Kong increased by 3.8% compared to the same period last year, with nearly 20% growth in overnight holiday travelers and a 53.7% jump in family travelers, making up 13% of the total. This proves that despite the challenging economic environment, parents are still willing to travel with their children. Seizing the opportunity, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has launched a "Buy 2 Adults, Get 1 Child Free" family air-and-hotel package promotion.