Macao Special Administrative Region is to promote tourism through the help of Visa International, the world credit-card giant.

It was announced here Tuesday at a press conference that Visa has launched a promotional campaign entitled "Visa Treasure Hunt" to offer "treasures" for Visa card-holders visiting Macao till June 30.

Prudence Chan, Visa's Country Manager for Hong Kong and Macao, told the briefing that the program "gained great support" from Macao's Tourist Office.

Manuel Antunes, director of the Tourist Office, said Macao continues to grow in statue as a top visitor destination and Visa has made it easy for tourists to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Visa card-holders who visit Macao and spend with their cards could get "Scratch Win Card" to gain prizes including mobile phones, hotel and dining vouchers, said Chan, the Visa manager.

The Visa customers could also get exclusive merchant offers as discounts and free gifts, she added.

Visa's overseas card-holders spent 2.4 billion paracas (US$300 million) in Macao in 2004, a 33-percent year-on-year growth, Chan said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2005)