Shanghai people expressed keen interest in the pre-paid international travel bankcards issued by Visa International, according to a survey of the Chinese overseas tourist market, conducted by Visa International.
According to the survey, more than 10 million Chinese people go aboard for business trips or travel every year with only five percent have international credit cards. Tourists often have difficulty carrying a large amount of cash and this is one of the main reasons why the pre-paid cards are generating such interest, according to the survey.
Most interviewees were interested in getting the international travel cards for safety and convenience purposes and to enjoy discounts when shopping.
Visa International, in association with its member banks in China, will issue the Visa International travel cards in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The Shanghai branch of the China Construction Bank (CCB) and Visa International will issue pre-paid international traveler bankcards this month.
Chinese people should buy such cards in US dollars.
The Visa international travel cards can be used in up to 24 million outlets around the world and 760,000 global automatic teller machines (ATMs) with Visa or Plus marks.
(eastday.com July 4, 2002)
