Bangkok--1 Sep--Spark Communications
Thai businesses given a boost with spending topping 2009 figures; British, Americans topping list of spenders
The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010 concluded on a positive note with a total spend of US$624 million by foreign Visa cardholders during the two-month Grand Sale, a four percent increase on the same period in 2009[1].
The US$624 million total spend came from more than 2.6 million transactions on foreign Visa-branded cards. The spending figures show shoppers have increased the amount spent per transaction compared to last year, signaling strong signs of recovery in the tourism and retail industries following the political upheaval earlier this year.
Visa cardholders from the United Kingdom, US and Australia were the top three spenders and the top three spend categories were lodging, retail and remaining merchants, which includes lifestyle and services businesses.
Somboon Krobteeranon, Country Manager, Thailand, Visa said: “As the preferred partner for the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010, we are delighted to see strong results from the Grand Sale which has helped the tourism industry in Thailand. This year is more important than ever as the country's tourism industry aims to restore international confidence. Visa is committed to putting Thailand back at the top of the list of premier shopping destinations in Asia and the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale was a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that.”
In support of Thailand’s tourism and retail industries, Visa worked with merchants throughout Thailand to enhance the shopping experience at this year’s Sale, and Visa cardholders enjoyed attractive promotions, special prizes and a host of other special benefits.
Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, “We have worked closely with Visa for this year’s campaign and the results are very encouraging. We are delighted to see that tourist arrivals numbers are picking up again and we are confident Thailand will soon regain its attractiveness as a top tourist destination.”
The collaboration marked Visa’s 12th year as the preferred partner for the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, and demonstrated Visa’s commitment to helping retailers and businesses get back on track, stimulating inbound tourism traffic and encouraging commerce throughout the country. The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010 ran from 15 June until 15 August 2010.
Top 10 contributors to visitor spending in Thailand during the Grand Sale, as measured by spending on Visa-branded payment cards were:
1. United Kingdom
2. USA
3. Australia
4. Japan
5. Norway
6. France
7. United Arab Emirates
8. Sweden
9. Singapore
10. Germany
About Visa
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 10,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com
For further media information, please contact:
Tanyawan Surasarang or Warangkana Plungsiri
Spark Communications
Tel: 02 653 2717-9
Email:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
[1] Data obtained from VisaVue 15 June — 15 August 2010