Dreams come true as 200 fans get chance to meet Jackie Chan in Hong Kong

More than 200 Jackie Chan fans from Japan, the United States and Europe got the chance to meet their idol in person today, soon after arriving in Hong Kong on special "Meet Jackie" travel packages.

The special packages are among a number of activities to which the Hong Kong-born superstar has agreed to lend his name in support of the Global Tourism Revival Campaign launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

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Today's "meet and greet" welcome ceremony ties in with the HKTB's Hong Kong Welcomes You! promotion, which aims to showcase Hong Kong's hospitality to the first returning waves of visitors. The two-month promotion runs from 13 July to 15 September and reaches a peak during an action-packed Welcome Day on 17 August, when Hong Kong will play host to more than 2,000 VIP guests worldwide.

Jackie, who has been Hong Kong's official Tourism Ambassador since 1995, was on hand to meet the fans when they arrived at Hong Kong International Airport and later joined some of them on a special open-top bus tour to the Lantau Link Viewing Point, as well as posing for photographs with the delighted visitors.

During their stay, the fans will also attend the Hong Kong première of Jackie's new film The Medallion, visit his own film production studio in Hong Kong, and hold a gathering with members of his international fan club, among other activities on the specially-created programme.

An afternoon of rapid-fire action worthy of any of Jackie's movies started at midday in the ballroom of the Regal Airport Hotel, where the superstar was on hand to welcome fans from the US and Europe who had gathered after arriving on various different flights, and pose for photos with them.

Then it was off to the airport tarmac where Jackie was waiting to climb on board Cathay Pacific flight CX503 from Osaka and greet his fans on the plane as soon as they arrived. Twenty minutes later, flight CX509 from Tokyo touched down and the process was reprised.

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At a welcome reception in the airport lounge shortly afterwards, Jackie again addressed the two groups of Japanese fans and posed for photos. Next on the agenda was a media briefing, during which HKTB Executive Director Clara Chong warmly thanked Jackie for his participation in the special programme, and for his continued strong support in promoting Hong Kong as a destination.

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"Despite his hectic schedule as a major international star, Jackie always finds time on his visits to help us in our advertising and promotions," she said. "He has never forgotten his roots in Hong Kong and is always full of enthusiasm for the place he still calls home. We really could not wish to find a better ambassador for our city worldwide."

Ms Chong also noted that Jackie Chan's crowning as "Airport Safety Ambassador" by Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr David Pang, which took place immediately after the welcome ceremony, would help provide visitors with further reassurance of Hong Kong's quality of services and safety record.

After the presentation of autographed Hong Kong Welcomes You! T-shirts to one group of lucky fans, Jackie and another group - specially chosen by lucky draw - boarded an open-top bus to travel to the Lantau Link View Point at Tsing Yi, where visitors can enjoy a stunning view of Hong Kong's scenery and three of its major bridges - Tsing Ma Bridge (the world's longest combined road and rail suspension bridge), Kap Shui Mun Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge. The other fans followed in a fleet of coaches, and the proceedings came to a memorable close with a group photo of Jackie and all 200-plus guests at the View Point.

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During his visit to Hong Kong this month, Jackie has also been helping the HKTB make a new television commercial which will be screened in major markets worldwide over the coming weeks as part of the Board's new global thematic advertising campaign. In the commercial, Jackie welcomes visitors to Hong Kong and introduces some of the diverse and sophisticated experiences they can enjoy in and around the city.

See also: Jackie Chan welcomes Real Madrid Stars to Hong Kong

and: Pictures of Hong Kong's Welcome for Real Madrid Stars.

plus: Jackie Chan to star in HKTB Global Television Commercial