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| CUP Card Designated as Recommended Bank Card for Chinese Tourists by Maison de la France |
| 2008-03-17 |
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China Unionpay Signed Agreement of Strategic Cooperation with Maison de la France
Recently, China Unionpay (CUP) signed a cooperative agreement with Maison de la France in Paris, marking the establishment of a strategic cooperative partnership. Minister Counselor Qu Xing from Chinese Embassy of France attended the ceremony and delivered a gracious speech. Xu Luode, the President of CUP, and Alain Jacquier, the Chairman of the Board of Maison de la France, signed the agreement respectively, symbolizing that CUP card was for the first time recommended by Maison de la France as the designated bank card for Chinese tourists traveling in France and the cooperation between CUP and Maison de la France was to be carried out in extended fields in the near future.
In September, 2004, France became Chinese people’s destination country for outbound tours. Ever since then, the annual number of France-bound Chinese tourists has been on the steady rise. Statistics of Maison de la France show that 2007 saw a total of 600, 000 Chinese tourists traveling to France, turning China into one of the most important visitor- generating markets for France. To satisfy Chinese tourists’ demand of purchase and cash withdrawal in France, CUP officially launched CUP card services in France in April, 2006. By the end of 2007, CUP bank card has been accepted for Euro cash withdrawal on over 20, 000 ATMs across France and Chinese tourists have been able to enjoy card payment in large department stores like Galeries Lafayeete and Pinault Printemps-Redoute, and in duty-free stores which are frequented by Chinese, such as Paris Look. Apart from France, CUP card is also accepted in 26 countries and regions including Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, United States, Egypt, etc. CUP card has become a primary payment choice for an increasing number of Chinese tourists in foreign countries.
According to President Xu Luode, CUP is very pleased to establish a strategic cooperative partnership with Maison de la France after the successful cooperation with Hong Kong Tourism Board, Singapore Tourism Board and Korea Tourism Organization. The cooperation between both sides will be conducive to mutual support of relative advantages and integration of resources, and is bound to give Chinese tourists access to a more economical, safe and efficient payment service, thus promoting the rapid development of Sino-French tourism.
Chairman Alain Jacquier mentioned that France had proved to be a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Maison de la France holds a brightening prospect of the vigorously growing Chinese tourism market, and a great many of scenic spots as well as luxury stores are looking forward to attracting Chinese tourists. The cooperation with CUP will definitely create a win-win situation for both sides, who will work in close cooperation to bring Chinese tourists a perfect and romantic French journey. Upon the signing of the agreement, information sharing will be realized between CUP and Maison de la France. The both sides will co-stage a series of promotional and marketing activities in manifold forms, in a bid to attract more Chinese tourists to France and enable them to personally experience the payment efficiency guaranteed by CUP card..
About Maison de la France
Established in 1987 and subordinate to Department of Economy, Finance and Employment, Maison de la France takes major responsibility in promoting the tourism image and destinations of France to foreign nations. Headquartered in Paris, Maison de la France has set up 33 branch offices in 28 countries and regions with over 1,250 membership units.
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