Global Sources are offering an airfare discount of up to 75 per cent to its community of buyers travelling to Hong Kong.

The programme, which was initiated together with Cathay Pacific, was announced yesterday by Merle Hinrichs, chairman and chief executive officer of Global Sources. The company provides merchandise trade sourcing information to its more than 385,000 buyers.

The programme aims to encourage buyers to return to Hong Kong in the wake of the territory being clear of the SARS infection.

"We are delighted to make this offer to help buyers get back to business face-to-face in Hong Kong and Guangdong as soon as possible, and we are committed to restoring confidence and commercial activity in Hong Kong," Hinrichs said.

This limited-time offer is applicable on round-trip economy and business airfares on 15 routes from selected cities such as New York, San Francisco, Paris, London and Tokyo.

The programme won immediate support from buyers and suppliers.

"We are excited about this exclusive offer that will allow us to come back to Hong Kong and China and save on the cost of airfares," said Malcolm Peters, international director of Australia-based Amborne Technologies.

Foreign buyers shunned visits to Hong Kong and the mainland during the outbreak of SARS.

Johnny Yeung, chairman of Hong Kong-based audio equipment maker Fujikon Industrial Holdings, said: "This airfare discount offer will definitely encourage them to return to the mainland and Hong Kong to continue to do business with us."

According to a survey conducted by Global Sources in May, buyers are optimistic and eager to resume travel to Hong Kong and the mainland. Fifty per cent were prepared to do so within one month of travel advisories being lifted.

(HK Edition 06/27/2003 page7)