Hong Kong's Rugby Sevens kick off without mask rules

Players react during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens SeriesHSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at the Hong Kong Stadium on November 5, 2022. DJ CLARK CHINA DAILY HONG KONG KONG KONG- Hong Kong's popular Rugby Sevens tournament kicks off on Friday with revelers partying for the first time in three years without COVID 19 rules, including face masks.

The three-day competition, which took place from March 31 to April 2, is one of many events the city is holding to attract international tourists and business travelers to Hong Kong's economy and promote it as a cultural hub.

Hong Kong has hosted financial summits in the past two weeks as well as Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia's leading contemporary art fairs.

In March the city dropped its mask mandate as authorities launched a promotion campaign dubbed Hello Hong Kong, which offered visitors 500,000 free plane tickets.

The Rugby Union of the city is more optimistic about the upcoming event.

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With masks off and smiles on, the world-famous Sevens atmosphere is back, the union said, and international demand was nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. More than 20 percent of tickets purchased in the public sale are from overseas audiences, signalling Hong Kong's return is in full swing. The Sevens are sponsored by HSBC and the city's flagship airline, Cathay Pacific.