Visa and Tourism Authority of Thailand extend partnership

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Visa card and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced last week they are building on a strong track record of cross-promotions with a new partnership agreement for the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale. Visa is designated the preferred card of the event and the agreement provides advertising, promotional and marketing initiatives in connection with consumer payment services plus preferred brand status in areas such as event sponsorship, online sales and reservations. At the "Amazing Thailand Grand Sale", Visa and Visa Electron overseas cardholders receive special offers from participating retailers including department stores and others, restaurants as well as recreational and travel merchants. Visa will also set up 10 booths in the main shopping areas for special gifts to be redeemed on the spot. There will also be a grand lucky draw.

TAT governor, Pradech Phayakvichien said: "We are pleased to be working closely with Visa to promote the Thailand's travel appeal to Visa cardholders globally. By leveraging the global reach of the Visa brand and the beauty and allure of Thailand, we are confident that our partnership will heighten consumer exposure and ultimately bolster tourism revenues and the broader Thai economy."

According to Somboon Krobteerawong, Visa International's country manager for Thailand and Indochina, tourists to Thailand spent $1.43bn on their Visa cards in the past 12 months ending 30 September 2001. This represented year-on-year growth of 10.2%.

Asia Pacific tourists were the leading segment with cardholders spending $539m, up 10% from a year ago. Among them, Japanese tourists spent the most at $160m, up 5 %, followed by Hong Kong at $ 85m, Australia at $66m, Taiwan $63m and Singapore $61m. Visitors from the EU spent $ 623m in Thailand on their Visa cards registering a 10% increase. Somboon commented: "Our exclusive marketing partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand is the culmination of ongoing synergy and joint efforts our organisations have shared to date."