Travel retailers will be eyeing sales hikes as airports across the globe celebrate the Year of the Pig today (5 February).

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) welcomed Chinese New Year with traditional lion dancing and singing.

This was attended by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) CEO Fred Lam; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam; Chairman of AAHK Jack So Chak-Kwong; Acting Secretary for Transport and Housing Raymond So; Director General of Civil Aviation Simon Li; and representatives from government and the airport community.

EXTENDED RETAIL HOURS

Passengers at the Central Concourse Terminal 1 and Midfield Concourse Restricted Area will enjoy lion dances and a ‘God of Fortune Meet and Greet’ during the Lunar New Year period.

To cope with heightened passenger volumes, AAHK has deployed extra staff to assist passengers and has extended service hours for some retail and catering outlets.

Plans to capitalise on the important Lunar New Year gifting period have been in place for many travel retailers in the build-up to today’s official festival celebration.

Incheon International Airport has launched a holiday event booth allowing those purchasing from the airport’s duty free shops in Airstar Avenue to participate in programmes to win gifts and souvenirs, such as a golden piggy bank and pre-paid cards worth $1,000.

Running until 10 February, the event is open to those spending $50 or more at SM Duty Free, City Plus, Grand Duty Free and Entas Duty Free shops, or $100 or more at Shinsegae Duty Free, Shilla Duty Free or Lotte Duty Free outlets.

In addition, entrants into the ‘2019 Star Shopping Lucky Star’ event, which runs throughout the year, have the chance to win a luxury car and an LG All Red TV retailing at KRW4m ($3,500).

Those wishing to enter either the duty free shop event or 2019 Star Shopping Lucky Star event should scan their purchase receipt at the booth.

Elsewhere, Abu Dhabi Duty Free in collaboration with DFS this week unveiled exclusive offers and promotions for Chinese New Year to elevate Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.

Dubai Duty Free held a traditional drum dance and ceremonial cake cutting last month to inaugurate a series of Chinese New Year-themed activities across Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.