AIA Hong Kong plans to hire 5,000 agents while rival Prudential Hong Kong also plans to hire 2,000 frontline staff to cope with the rising demand from mainlanders with the reopening of the border. The two major insurers have been preparing for the reopening and both intend to organise more events to promote their businesses this year. They believe the number of visitors to Hong Kong will gradually recover to the pre-pandemic level after the removal of border restrictions. The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers also thinks the resumption of tourism between the mainland and the city will further revitalise the local economy and benefit the insurance industry. It said the number of local insurance agents saw little change during the three-year pandemic at around 120,000, which should be sufficient to handle the insurance needs of mainland customers.