Visa International increases prize money to US$ 40,000 for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 Visa Grand Raffle

Dubai Shopping Festival key sponsor, Visa International has launched an innovative package of DSF promotions that capitalises on its strengths as the world's leading payment system. Visa cardholders visiting Dubai between January 15 and February 14 will have the chance to receive a variety of value added benefits and giveaways together with US$10,000 in prize money each week in the Visa Grand Raffle draw. 

The month of November has seen Visa International linking with participating member banks to run a promotion dedicated for GCC and Levant cardholders. All cardholders who make four or more transactions will be entered into a draw to win a fully paid trip to Dubai for a family of four. 

Speaking about Visa's participation in the forthcoming festival, Prem Patel, Head of Marketing for Visa International said, "Dubai Shopping Festival 2002 attracted over 2.68 million visitors, with associated retail spending of around Dhs. 4.6 billion. This is great news for the economy of Dubai, for the many banks in the region that make up our membership, for the thousands of merchants in Dubai who accept Visa cards, and for the millions of Gulf shoppers who enjoy the convenience and security of paying with Visa during DSF.

"In preparation of the forthcoming festival we have extended our activities for the DSF promotional programme. As well as being fun-packed and entertaining, our activities add real value to Visa cardholders by offering them a chance to win valuable prizes and special offers throughout the festival.

"To demonstrate our ongoing support and long term commitment, Visa recently raised the profile of its DSF sponsorship by featuring a specially-designed information page of Dubai as a leading destination on our global website. On behalf of Visa, we look forward to seeing the continued success of the DSF this year and for many more years to come," concluded Patel.

In addition to the prize money, Visa is also providing two grand prizes that offer a holiday for four people to another of the world's famous festivals such as the Venice Arts Festival, Cairo Film Festival or Hong Kong New Year Festival. 

Visa will be the preferred payment partner for DSF 2003, with approximately 2,000 participating shops and retailers promoting Visa at point of sale.

Dubai Shopping Festival is supported by nineteen leading corporate groups in United Arab Emirates; they include Paris Gallery, Spinneys Dubai and MashreqBank, Al Futtaim, Emirates Bank Group, BurJuman Centre, Al Rostamani Group, Dubai Festival City, Visa International, Abdul Rahim Mohammmed Abulghozooz Al Zarooni (Mercato), Dubai Refreshments P.S.C. (Pepsi Cola International), Jumbo Electronics Co. Ltd., Emaar Properties PJSC, Emirates Airlines, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (ETISALAT), Al Habtoor Group, Deira City Centre, The Gold and Jewellery Group and ENOC-EPPCO.