Lunar New Year 2019
The Year of the Pig is one of the Chinese Zodiac's most auspicious signs and is believed to bring good fortune and luck. Airports, travel retailers, restaurateurs and brands marked the New Year in style with spectacular celebrations, promotions and products earlier this month. This special pictorial feature showcases some of the best examples.
Dancing, dishes and decorations
London Heathrow Airport celebrated Lunar New Year with a programme of traditional entertainment in its departure lounges. Lion dancers, accompanied by the music of beating drums, chased away evil spirits while a dance trio brought the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese folk dance to the Year of the Pig. Cherry blossom-themed wishing trees decorated the terminals while a roaming Caishen (money god) handed out lucky red envelopes and sweet treats.
Passengers could also pick up Chinese horoscope bookmarks or paper and instructions to make an origami pig, and have airport purchases gift-wrapped in exchange for a small donation to charity.
Heathrow also handily created a special list of gifts available in the terminals, which could be browsed or reserved on its Heathrow Boutique website. Many of the airport’s restaurants unveiled special dishes to mark the New Year.
Action-packed: Heathrow's celebrations included traditional dancers, wishing trees and a money god.
Flavours of Asia: Many of Heathrow’s restaurants, such as Wagamama (recently acquired by The Restaurant Group) unveiled special dishes for the Year of the Pig, as seen in the airport's Taste magazine.
Happy holidays in Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport eleased this vibrant video showcasing Year of the Pig celebrations that featured its inimitable mascot in full Chinese New Year costume meeting and posing for pictures with travellers. The airport also launched a series of shopping promotions in what was a key period for business, spreading its message on social media.
Strong moves: Hong Kong International Airport released this video to wish travellers a Happy New Year.
Holiday spirit: Products created for Lunar New Year featured in Hong Kong International's promotions.
Changi’s sweet treats
A range of delicious Chinese New Year goodies (pictured below) were available across Changi Airport. Pineapple tarts are thought to bring prosperity and luck, while kueh bangkit biscuits are said to help overcome any challenges in the New Year. In Chinese culture, red signifies luck and fortune so the red-coloured Bak kwa (dried meat) is popular during the holiday season. Love letters are wafer biscuits that may contain hidden romantic messages.
As usual, the airport added Chinese New Year decorations and launched retail promotions. Passengers spending a minimum of S$60 (US$44) in the public area of the airport could redeem an exclusive Chinese New Year red packet organiser for S$5 or S$8.
The Moodie Davitt Report • The Online Magazine • February 2019