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					The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Hong Kong Disneyland makes Visa official credit card of new Disney resort Disney News Hong Kong Disneyland makes Visa official credit card of new Disney resort Visa International and Hong Kong Disneyland have announced the launch of an alliance that will make Visa the Official Card of Hong Kong Disneyland - the very first Disney theme park in China, scheduled to open to the general public on September 12 of this year. The alliance is the first of several to be announced by Hong Kong Disneyland and is an extension of the existing global alliance between Disney and Visa, which commenced in 2002. It will form one of the largest integrated marketing arrangements for Hong Kong Disneyland in the region and provide joint marketing opportunities that will bring unique benefits to consumers, merchants and Visa's member financial institutions throughout the Asia Pacific region. Under this alliance, Visa's 600 member banks in Asia Pacific will be offered the opportunity to participate in innovative marketing opportunities that will deepen their relationships with, and yield benefits to, Visa cardholders in the region. "The alliance represents a win-win opportunity for both brands," said Jim Allhusen, Visa Asia Pacific Executive Vice President and General Manager, Greater China Region and Philippines. "These initiatives, and their consequent impact on tourism and consumer spending, will offer a boost to Hong Kong's tourist industry and further stimulate the retail sector. The alliance is a living example of how Visa goes a step beyond in offering its cardholders the best customer service, value and innovation among payment brands." "Hong Kong Disneyland is pleased that Visa International shares our commitment to promoting family tourism in the region," Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director Don Robinson said. "Our vision, to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a family vacation destination, will be strengthened by working closely with Visa International in the Asia Pacific region. Our alliance motto of Wishes, Dreams and Magic is at the heart of Hong Kong Disneyland and we look forward to welcoming Visa cardholders to experience this magic themselves." With the joint effort of Visa and Hong Kong Disneyland, this alliance will offer unique benefits for both parties in reaching out to valued customers in Asia with new and exciting offers. Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to attract 5.6 million visitors in the first year from around the region and the world, and the Visa brand will be a prominent part of this consumer experience. In addition, the parties envision exclusive marketing initiatives for Visa member banks, merchants and cardholders. The first joint marketing campaign will offer Visa cardholders a special opportunity to experience the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland - prior to the official opening of the park. Visa will also run an exclusive promotion which will offer consumers the chance to win a place at a private evening celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland. "Visa International has a long established track record in facilitating people traveling from one country to another and they have worked extensively with tourism organizations throughout the region. We will be creating new and innovative marketing programs to make Hong Kong Disneyland a must-see attraction for the millions of Visa cardholders in the region, thereby contributing to the continued growth of tourism in HK," said Roy Hardy, Hong Kong Disneyland's Vice President Marketing and Sales. "This alliance is part of a long history of premier sponsorships by Visa that touch the hearts of cardholders and consumers the world over, including the Olympic Games and the Visa Dynasty Cup," said Tom Shepard, Visa International's Executive Vice President, Sponsorship and Partnerships. "This alliance with Hong Kong Disneyland, a brand known for quality family entertainment, will allow our members and merchants to reach out to families - a segment that drives our card spending in the region - in new and entertaining ways." Hong Kong Disneyland Information The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government, theme park and resort construction began in January 2003, with the project now scheduled to open on 12th September, 2005. At opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland will comprise a theme park and two hotels. The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland-style theme park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong SAR Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period. About Visa International VISA is the world's leading payment brand generating more than US$3 trillion in annual card sales volume. Visa has unsurpassed acceptance in more than 150 countries. The Visa organization plays a pivotal role in developing innovative payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions and their cardholders. Visa is a leader in Internet based payments and is pioneering the creation of u-commerce, or universal commerce--the ability to conduct commerce anywhere, anytime, and any way. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com. About Visa Asia Pacific In Asia Pacific, Visa has a greater market share than all other payment card brands combined with 62 percent of all card purchases at the point of sale being made using Visa cards. There are currently 238 million Visa-branded cards in the region. In 2004, US$475 billion was spent at point of sale or withdrawn from ATMs in Asia Pacific using Visa cards. Visa Asia Pacific¡¦s Internet address is www.visa-asia.com. About Visa Hong Kong In Hong Kong, there are currently about 7.3 million VISA cards in circulation, generating a retail sales volume of more than HK$128 billion from the points of sale for the twelve months ended 31 December 2004. Visa Hong Kong¡¦s Internet address is www.visa.com.hk. Source: Press Release Return to Disney News.



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