Bangkok--23 Jul--Krungthai Card KTC-Best Western cashes in on tourism boom. With new card launch for travelers with full privileges worldwide“KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard” The First co-brand card by Best Western in Asia Pacific KTC makes a bold move in the tourism industry, partners up with global hotel chain Best Western International for the introduction of “KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard” credit card for those whose lifestyle revolves around domestic and international travelling. The card offers exciting privileges and discounts on accommodation and services at Best Western hotels worldwide. Over 5,000 applicants expected in the first year. Mr. Thawatchai Thitisakdiskul, Senior Executive Vice President, Credit Card Business, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, said “Another key marketing strategies of ours this year, other than the strive to become a true membership company, are the encouragement of members to spend through the offering of daily benefits, and, lifestyle segmentation-oriented member base expansion. Tourism is an important area to which we have been focusing on since the beginning of the year. In the first quarter of this year, almost 150,000 KTC card members used KTC credit card for business and leisure travelling both domestically and internationally. The spending in this category increased 10% in the first quarter as compared to the first quarter of 2006 and worth over 985 million baht. This means KTC members are more eager to discover something new and to travel for recreational purpose.” “Holders of travel lifestyle cards are people with high purchase power. When coupled with the quick growing tourism business in Thailand, this appears to be a unique opportunity to tap into the market of frequent travellers and business people who are required to travel locally and internationally, particularly in Asia, Europe and the United States of America. That is why we are launching “KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard credit card” with the cooperation of Best Western International. This is the first co-brand credit card we have introduced with the world’s largest chain of hotels which has been operating for longer than 60 years with more than 4,200 hotels in 6 continents and branch offices in 80 countries around the world. The card will offer travellers exactly the privileges and discounts on reservation they need.” “KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard is the first co-brand hotel credit card in Asia Pacific. It gives holders a series of privileges when placing reservation with a Best Western hotel anywhere in the world: Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, and Asia. Best Western operates more than ten hotels in Thailand including Best Western Bella Villa Cabana Pattaya and Best Western Premier Supalai Resort and Spa. They have seven other hotels under construction in Thailand.” Glenn de Souza, Vice President for International Operations Asia, Best Western International, said “We are very pleased to work with KTC, the leading credit card company in Thailand. They are a Thai company with large member base, best known for the privileges they offer to their members. This joint introduction of a credit card will bring strength to both the tourism and the credit card industries. It will also allow both parties to gain better access to the Asian market. Best Western International is very keen on marketing and brand building. Our business partners are from a diverse range of industries from MasterCard, NASCAR to fifteen airlines including Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Air Canada and Asiana Airlines.” “Privileges holders of KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard will enjoy are: 1) up to 50% discount on accommodation at participating Best Western hotels in your birth month; 2) 20% discount on accommodation at Best Western hotels worldwide; 3) 20% discount on dining outlets at participating Best Western hotels in Asia; 4) 20% discount on spa and massage services at participating Best Western hotels in Asia; and, 5) 10% discount on rental fee for Hertz rental cars throughout the year on participating routes in America, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Holders will also be eligible for Gold Crown Club International points which Best Western members can use to redeem services or gift vouchers like accommodation vouchers valid throughout the year or cash gift vouchers for use at restaurants and department stores around the world. Additionally, members will be able to collect mileage from a partner airline. Members can convert KTC Forever Rewards points to Gold Crown Club points on one to one basis by which every 1,000 points of Forever Rewards equal 1,000 points of Gold Crown Club. “We hope that KTC-Best Western Titanium MasterCard will bring travelers the kind of privileges they are looking for. There should be more than 5,000 members within the first year of card launch. Those who apply from now until October 31st, 2007 will be entitled to additional benefits: 1) one free night of accommodation for one paid night at Best Western hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket, Pang-nga and Samui plus 500 extra Gold Crown Club International points; 2) airport shuttle service for two persons when placing a reservation with a Best Western hotel in Krabi, Phuket, Pang-nga and Samui; 3) dinner voucher for two persons when placing a reservation with Best Western Bella Villa Cabana Pattaya; 4) 500 Baht dining voucher when placing a reservation with Best Western Premium Supalai Resort and Spa. Holders will continue to enjoy basic privileges and promotional campaigns of the card and will have entrance fee and annual fee unconditionally waived for life like other KTC credit cards.”, said Thawatchai in conclusion. For more information, please call KTC Phone at 0-2828-5000 or visit www.ktc.co.th. For more information, please contact: Public and Corporate Affairs Department “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited Kandtharat Chermchitphong Tel. 0-2828-5057 Suchada Weerasakulrak Tel. 0-2828-5732 Nalin Charoensri Tel. 0-2828-5047 Fax. 0-2828-5046 E-mail: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net