Showtime, Toys' R Us and Carrefour customers set to win six-night cruises for two around the stunning Greek Islands in Visa's adventure-filled promotion

Dubai, 8th May 2007 - Visa, the global payment solutions provider, has announced an added incentive for Visa customers across the GCC to experience the benefit and efficiency of electronic payments as compared to cash during its six-week 'Pirates of The Caribbean' promotion. For every transaction, all Visa cardholders will be automatically entered to win one of 12 grand prizes in total of cruises for two around the stunning Greek Islands - flights courtesy of Emirates Airlines. By using a Visa or Visa Electron card at selected retail partners Carrefour, Toys R Us, Damas and Showtime, shoppers will be entitled to double their chances by receiving two entries into the grand prize draw.

The promotion, which runs from 1st May to 15 June 2007, is open to Visa and Visa Electron cardholders in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. Showtime, the leading Pay TV network in the Middle East is providing an incentive for customers paying by Visa or Visa Electron to win five of these cruises for two. One winner in each market - Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Kuwait - will win cruise packages courtesy of Visa & Showtime. In addition, Showtime is offering secondary prizes of Platinum subscriptions exclusively to Visa cardholders.

Meanwhile, all Visa credit an debit cardholders who purchase 'Pirates of the Caribbean' merchandise from Toys' R Us and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' DVD's from Carrefour outlets in the GCC will have double their chances to win with an additional cruise to be given away by each partner in the promotion. Shoppers paying with a Visa card at Damas will also double their chances to win.

Commenting on the Visa Pirates of the Caribbean promotional activities, Norliza Kassim, Vice President and Head of Marketing for Visa International in the Middle East commented, "We strive to ensure that our promotions throughout the year introduce shoppers to the practicality, convenience and efficiency of electronic payment as compared to cash for everyday purchases. By doing so we are adding to the proven social and economic benefits that electronic payments bring to the GCC economy and allow cardholders to benefit from Visa's wide acceptance at merchant outlets and technological expertise which facilitates secure and efficient card payments."

During the six-week Visa Pirates of the Caribbean promotion, pirate themed kiosks will be placed at selected malls in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain. Cardholders will have the opportunity to win thousands of instant prizes upon presenting any Visa transaction slip. Kiosks will be located at Grand Mercato, Mercato Shopping Centre and Grand Megaplex, Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall in Dubai, Mall Cineplex, City Centre in Qatar and Seef Megaplex, Seef Mall in Bahrain.

Exclusively in Dubai, the Visa Pirates of the Caribbean kiosks will invite parents to provide Visa credit and debit card transaction slips to allow their children to enjoy pirate themed face painting and have a memorable picture taken at the pirate themed photo stand. Cardholders will also be able to compete for tickets to the Premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End through extensive radio competitions.

For the latest news on Visa's Pirates of the Caribbean promotion please visit www.visamiddleeast.com 

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About Visa
About Visa: Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth.

Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

Or contact:
Hicham Amrani at Visa International
Tel: +971 (4) 331 9690
Fax: +971 (4) 3322 199
Email: amranih@visa.com
Or contact: Jehad Saleh, d'Events PR
Email: jehad@devents.ae

© Press Release 2007