In an effort to expand acceptance of its credit card brand outside of China’s borders, China UnionPay is collaborating with Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co. on a travel promotion targeting Chinese tourists visiting Japan.
Through the “Winter of Hokkaido” promotion, the two organizations are collaborating to promote merchant acceptance of China UnionPay credit cards at several businesses in Hokkaido, Japan’s second-largest island and a vibrant winter tourist haven.
China UnionPay cardholders visiting participating merchants in Japan will receive an instant discount of 1,000 yen (US$13 or 9.5 euros) on any purchase over 10,000 yen. The promotion launched on September 15 and runs through February 29, 2012, according to a press release.
Meng Zhang, an analyst with Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, tells PaymentsSource that this promotion is part of UnionPay’s broader strategy to push acceptance of UnionPay cards overseas.
“The promotion will also help Japanese businesses earn higher revenue of course, given the rising number of Chinese tourists to Japan, and the fact that Chinese tourists spend more time shopping than other tourists,” says Zhang.
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