Visa Signs Global Agreements With Tourism Vancouver And Tourism Whistler

The multi-million dollar global agreements will offer VISA cardholders worldwide value-added offers and incentives to visit Vancouver and Whistler, and are expected to spur tourism spending in Western Canada. The new, long-term global agreements build on Visa Canadas existing relationships with Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler. Visa Canada joined forces with the British Columbia-based tourism bureaus several years ago in an effort to spur tourism and spending in the region. Travel and entertainment is an important market for Visa and represents more than 18 percent of Visas annual sales in Canada. Over the span of the global agreements, Visa will work closely with Tourism Vancouver and Tourism Whistler to create unique programs to benefit the regions travel and merchant community. The sponsorships include advertising as well as joint marketing programs to promote Vancouver and Whistler as key travel destinations. This early start on destination marketing will help ensure unparalleled international exposure for the Vancouver- Whistler area leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The global agreements augment Visas on-going, broad-based support of the Olympic Games and their host cities. Through its Olympic-related marketing programs, Visa seeks to generate excitement for the Olympic Games, drive incremental business to the local merchant communities, and create greater value for VISA cardholders. The head start in Olympic planning allows the three organizations to collaborate, ensuring a fully integrated, break-through approach to the marketing of the 2010 Games. Through these alliances, VISA cardholders will come out on top as they take advantage of exclusive usage programs for accommodations at participating hotels, and special offers for goods and services purchased on a VISA card within the retail, dining, attractions, spa, sightseeing, and car rental categories. Local merchants who are members of Tourism Vancouver or Tourism Whistler will be able to display point-of-sale materials featuring the official VISA and Olympic sponsorship symbols. This integrated look, including signage, posters, window decals, counter signs, cheque presenters, and tip trays will help drive purchases and thank customers for choosing Visa.