HONG KONG, June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile phones and credit cards are among the top two essential travel companions for Hong Kong residents traveling abroad. This is just one of the many findings reported by the 2015 Survey on Hong Kong Consumer Travel Spending Pattern, an online survey of more than 800 credit card holders conducted by ESDLife to understand the travel patterns of Hong Kong residents.
According to the survey, Hong Kong residents average around 20 days of annual leave, around 70 percent of which (14 days) is spent on overseas travel, with the most popular destinations being Japan (23 percent), Taiwan (18 percent), Thailand (10 percent) and Korea (10 percent). The survey also revealed that the vast majority of respondents (84 percent) spend a good portion of their vacations using their mobile phones to text family and friends (73 percent), research travel information (59 percent), upload photos of their experiences onto social media (48 percent) and map or find directions (46 percent). It is no wonder that the vast majority of respondents ranked mobile phones (83 percent) and credit cards (79 percent) as the top two items brought along on every trip.
Designed to cater to these intrepid cardholders and available for download on Apple's App Store and Google Play, the Visa Explore app is a mobile application which grants unlimited access to the latest Visa local and overseas offers and promotions worldwide – from travel deals to shopping, dining, entertainment and other lifestyle-related privileges – personalized to your interests. It also provides various indispensable travel tools all in one place, including quick access to Visa concierge numbers and emergency assistance.
Tom Tobin, Country Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau, said: "In addition to the convenience of being able to use your Visa card at millions of merchants in more than 220 countries and regions worldwide, the Visa Explore mobile app provides cardholders with the added benefit of checking on the latest premium card offers on-the-go. This is an essential feature for Hong Kong residents who rely heavily on their phones to make the most out of their travel experience and share their vacations with the world."
For more information on the Visa Explore app, please visit https://travel.visa.com/app/EN/index.html. Terms and conditions apply.
Visa Offers
Highlights of the recent Visa offers in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea:
JAPAN |
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BIC CAMERA |
5 percent off + Return of sales tax with any Visa card purchase of JPY10,527 (tax excluded) or more on tax-free item in a single receipt |
Now until October 31, 2015 |
Not valid for the purchases of products from Apple, Rolex, the drug store, and the liquor section |
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Don Quijote |
Two special gifts with any Visa card purchase of JPY5,000 or more (tax included) |
Now until October 31, 2015 |
Isetan |
JPY1,000 Mitsukoshi-Isetan group gift coupon with any Visa card purchase of JPY50,000 (tax excluded) or more on tax-free item |
Now until October 31, 2015 |
Limited one gift coupon per person per tax-free procedure |
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Onitsuka Tiger |
A free gift with any Visa card purchase of JPY10,000 or more (tax excluded) |
Now until October 31, 2015 |
Limited to one gift per person per day |
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Premium Outlets® |
Present any Visa card to receive a Coupon Book offers with additional discount on top of everyday outlets prices |
Now until October 31, 2015 |
Special gift with any Visa card purchase of JPY40,000 (tax included) or more |
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TAIWAN |
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eslite Bookstore |
Single transaction of NT$1,000 or more (tax included) in the bookstore is entitled to receive 5% off |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
Single transaction of NT$3,000 or more (tax included) is entitled to receive 10% off |
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YUAN Soaps |
With any purchase to receive a complimentary "Yuan Herbs Travel Pack" |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
One complimentary gift per card per day. Limited stock, first-come-first serve |
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Taihodien Restaurant Spicy Hot Pot |
With any purchase to receive a complimentary "Homemade Mushroom Meatball" |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
Limited to one order per card per table |
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Tenren's Tea |
5 percent off for a single transaction of NT$1,000 or more |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
Hsin Tung Yang |
10 percent off for all Hsin Tung Yang brand product line including Pineapple Cakes, Fried Pork Fiber, Jerky, Chinese Sausage, etc. |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
* Valid at Hsin Tung Yang Stores, not department stores, highway bus stations, freeway rest areas, or airports where Hsin Tung Yang products are sold |
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* Except cigarettes, wine and liquor, abalone, formula milk or products already on sale |
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THAILAND |
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Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2015 |
Every THB500 spent at over 110 department stores or shopping complexes and more than 15,000 retail shops during The Thailand Grand Sale period, Visa cardholders get double coupons for the lucky draw coupons to win a "Travel 365 Days in Thailand" Grand Prize package valued at THB3,000,000 |
Now until August 15, 2015 |
Grand Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21 Bangkok / Ratchadamri Bangkok |
Receive 55 percent discount from hotel website rate when make a booking through www.grandecentrepointterminal21.com/ www.grandecentrepointratchadamri.comand Enjoy free WiFi and room upgrade (subject to availability) |
Now until August 15, 2015 |
Siam Paragon |
Spend THB5,000 or more to get a complimentary gift |
Now until August 15, 2015 |
SOUTH KOREA |
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Lotte Duty Free |
Up to 15 percent discount at Lotte Duty Free shops |
Now until February 14, 2016 |
With purchase at DFSs at Main, Lobby, World, COEX, Busan and Jeju, Visa Infinite / Visa Signature / Visa Platinum cardholders can enjoy a 5 to15 percent discount; Visa Gold / Visa Classic cardholders can enjoy 5~10 percent discount |
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With purchase at DFSs at Incheon and Gimpo airports, Visa Infinite / Visa Signature cardholders can enjoy 5~15 percent discount; Visa Platinum / Visa Gold / Visa Classic cardholders can enjoy 5~10 percent discount |
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*All Visa cardholders can enjoy extra 5 percent discount during the promotion period |
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* Partial brands and products are excluded from the extra discount promotion * The discount percentage is subject to change to the terms and conditions of each brand |
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emart |
KRW5,000 discount coupon with any purchase of KRW50,000 or more |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
THEFACESHOP |
5 percent off for spending KRW50,000 or more |
Now until March 31, 2016 |
10 percent off for spending KRW100,000 or more |
Terms and conditions apply. Offers are valid for all Visa cards issued in Hong Kong. For more details, please visit Visa Explore App or www.visa.com.hk.
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 electronic payments. We operate one of the world's most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 56,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured 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.visa-asia.com, visaapnews.asia and @VisaNews.
Media Contact
Kaman Ho
Director
Corporate Communications
Tel: +852 2842 2321 / +852 9212 2045
Email: kamho@visa.com