Visa International automates raffle for DSF 2004

Fernando De Matos, Visa's Head of Marketing for the Middle East explained: "Traditionally we would produce several million raffle coupons and provide them to the various participating DSF merchants across Dubai. This year, however, we are embarking on an automatic entry system for every Visa and Visa Electron card transaction which removes the need for raffle coupons and greatly reduces wasted paper."

Supporting the initiative, Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group, said: "We fully support Visa International in this endeavour to cut down on excess paper. It is our mission to encourage the conservation of natural resources and this electronic alternative to paper represents an excellent solution."

As key sponsor for the ninth consecutive year of DSF, Visa is offering cardholders the chance to win family trips to Disneyland Resort Paris. Every sales transaction made at a DSF participating outlet with a Visa Electron or Visa credit card will automatically entitle the cardholder to one entry.

"Because entry is automatic with every transaction, this not only reduces huge amounts of paper, but it also saves time from filling in coupons, underlying Visa's intention to be the most convenient method of payment and the easiest way to participate in DSF promotions," added De Matos.

"In this digital era, Visa believes that new technologies should be harnessed to broaden the scope of marketing activities. Our cardholders already enjoy the modern technology of our payments systems and we believe that they will appreciate the huge benefits that this paperless promotion brings," De Matos said.

Visa remains at the forefront of the global payment revolution. By utilising online payment technologies, every transaction made with Visa at an electronic point of sale terminal can be automatically registered. When a Visa card is swiped, the terminal connects via the Visa network to the cardholder's bank to obtain authorisation. Once approved, the transaction is logged and simply transmitted as data directly to the acquirer bank.

Visa's latest promotion, Win a Dream Home, was the first initiative that exploited the convenience of electronic channels to support consumer promotions in the Middle East. In just six weeks of the promotion, Visa recorded thousands of entries exclusively from digital mediums.

Visa will be the preferred payment partner at DSF 2004 with approximately 2000 participating shops and retailers promoting Visa at point of sale. Visa Electron or Visa credit cardholders from anywhere in the world that shop in Dubai between January 15 and February 15 can enter into the Visa promotions.