“Things are cheaper in Hong Kong and there is a lot to buy. I don’t have a concrete shopping plan as it is getting more convenient to cross the border. I can always come back when I want,” Wang said, adding that their budget was around HK$3,000.

Hong Kong will fully reopen its border with the mainland from Monday, with almost all Covid-19 restrictions dropped and no quotas on the number of arrivals for either side.

Hello Hong Kong: how do I get free airline tickets and what else is on offer?

Only those who had been overseas in the previous week before crossing will need to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 48 hours before departure.

Wang and Jiang noticed the promotional campaign offering 1 million vouchers to visitors when they got off the ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui. They planned to redeem a drinks voucher at one of the city’s hotels.

“I can go to hotels that I haven’t been to before. I can check out their facilities and other discounted services to decide whether I want to stay over in my future trips to Hong Kong,” Wang said.

Jiang, however, found the free drinks offer unattractive and failed to locate the cash vouchers after registering for the offer. She said she hoped the authorities could give discount vouchers for spending in restaurants and shops instead.

Tourists can redeem free “welcome drinks” and receive discounts on attractions and retail, as well as food and beverage and transport from more than 16,000 outlets.

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Christopher John Chua from Manila did not care much about the offers as he was delighted to return to the city for dim sum, roast goose and popular nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong on a three-day trip.

“Even if they don’t give [vouchers], we are always here in Hong Kong. We like the area so we’re just happy that Hong Kong is open for tourists again,” said the 50-year-old, who used to visit the city up to five times a year before the pandemic.

He added that his friends would like to travel to the city after Hong Kong lifted its vaccination requirements for arrivals from Monday.

British tourist Catherine Jeapes got to enjoy a complimentary drink on the last day of her trip. The government would start to give out free airline tickets to the city in March as part of its promotional campaign and she hoped she could earn a trip in the future.

“The most expensive part is the flight here so having a free ticket would be amazing,” Jeapes, 26, said, adding that she had spent £600 (US$730) on flights for her 10-day trip.

“It’s a really fun place to be …[It has] countryside and beaches and shopping and bars and restaurants. Everything.”

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But 44-year-old mainland visitor Zhao, who was halfway through her week in Hong Kong with her son, said she hoped the city could provide better service as it took time to explain her destination to drivers who did not understand Mandarin.

“It will be better if more people in Hong Kong speak and understand Mandarin. After all, Hong Kong has been handed over to mainland China for 25 years,” said Zhao, from Shijiazhuang in Hebei province.

“I also hope they can be more patient while speaking to us. The overall experience will be better.”