Image for Duty Free Global Image of the Day Top Banner

Images of the Day

Images of the Day: Local landside allure rocks (and woks) at Hong Kong International Airport

by Martin Moodie at Hong Kong International Airport |

Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.

HONG KONG, CHINA. Today’s images come from my home airport, Hong Kong International, where Airport Authority Hong Kong has curated an enticing cluster of IP concepts at landside departures which include Pop Mart, Disneyland, Sanrio, Chiikawa and several pop-ups, writes Martin Moodie.

Airport Authority Hong Kong says the collective concept has been well-received by passengers and the airport community alike.

Pop Mart has been performing particuarly strongly since its opening in 2024, as evidenced by the photos below.

We don’t talk enough about landside commercial and in Hong Kong International Airport’s case we certainly should. For it offers an intriguingly eclectic range of options both in departures and arrivals.

And whie talking discussing (mainly) local theming, we also give a shout-out to an idiosyncratic addition to Hong Kong International’s extensive landside food & beverage offer and a marvellously enriching themed cultural attraction. ✈

Since its opening in August 2024, Pop Mart has generated stellar results – and countless Instagrammable moments {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}
In 2025, Hong Kong-listed Pop Mart International Group posted an astounding +184.7% year-on-year rise in net revenues to RMB37.1 billion (US$5.4 billion) with operating profit rocketing +306.6% to RMB16.9 billion, almost US$2.5 billion {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}.
The Moodie Davitt Report focused on the burgeoning China Chic dyanmic in a dedicated digital magazine this month. Click on the image to read our report.
The group’s international growth has been equally impressive. In 2024, overseas business represented 31.8% of revenue, last year it was up to 43.8%. And travel retail is playing an increasingly influential role (Photos: Martin Moodie}.
Monsters meet Moodie at Pop Mart
Pop Mart reaches local Hong Kong, Mainland Chinese and international audiences simultaneously thanks to its strategic Terminal 1 airside departures location
The bright and vibrant store features popular ‘blind boxes’ from Molly and Dimoo, exclusive Hong Kong International Airport editions and a Robo Shop that operates 24 hours a day
Airport security as you’ve never seen it before (i.e. fun), Pop Mart-style
The China Chic dynamic marries neatly with a nationwide, central Chinese government-led push to promote cultural tourism experiences, whether through traditional heritage, modern technology (notably AI) or, increasingly, a fusion of both
‘The taste of Hong Kong in my memories’ – Shanghee is a gourmet bakery and snack brand offering traditional, innovative and delicious Hong Kong and Macau pastries
Its biscuits series embraces handcrafted cookies, nutty chia seed crunchy balls and crispy almond treats. Delicious.
Shanghee is dedicated to creating and selling high-quality gourmet gifts, an offer well-suited to travel retail
Japanese global lifestyle brand Sanrio, best-known for its universally popular Hello Kitty character, is also home to other popular character brands including My Melody, Kuromi, Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, gudetama, Aggretsuko, Chococat, Bad Badtz-Maru and Kerokerokeroppi
Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. The consummate travel retail offer perhaps?
International flavours are also to the fore at Hong Kong International Airport, notably Bears & Friends, the renowned candy brand from Bavaria, Germany, synonymous with natural fruit gummies
What a fantastic addition to the culinary offering at one of the world’s great gateways. Hung’s Delicacies, opened at Hong Kong International Airport last July, is a Michelin-acclaimed modern Chiuchow and Cantonese restaurant, renowned for its marinated dishes and exquisite Cantonese specialties.
The atmospheric eatery offers a taste-tempting array of delights, including Marinated Goose Slices, ‘Vegetarian Goose’ (Bean Curd Sheet), an airport-exclusive signature BBQ pork, and a brilliant array of wok-fired dishes.

‘Live out the cinematic charm of Hong Kong – Twilight of the Warriors Walled In’ – so runs the mantra and the title of an exhilarating  exhibition at Hong Kong International Airport I spied during a recent visit
The themed promotion, which allowed visitors to experience the Walled City nostalgia in an immersive way, is a collaboration between the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the production companies behind the movie ‘Twilight of the Warriors Walled In’.
Visitors to the installation were greeted by a 6.5-metre-high double-storey set and a massive ‘Kowloon Walled City neon sign
Travellers and meeters and greeters could explore Kowloon City in person for an all-round experience of the neighbourhood’s appeal from past to present
Nostalgia rules: Visitors followed in the footsteps of the characters in the meticulously restored film set, including a barber shop, tea stall, store and winding alleys

Related Articles

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine