Malaysia to introduce innovative card for designated tourist segmentation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | September 15, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

Malaysia to introduce tourism card

Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has introduced the Tourist Friend MasterCard Prepaid Card. A convenient alternative to a credit card, it is targeted at tourists, particularly those from the Middle East and China, as well as from developing countries of D-8. This syariah-compliant prepaid card was jointly developed by MasterCard Worldwide and SMarketForce Sdn Bhd. Launched by the Minister of Tourism, YB Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor recently, the card is a customer friendly product which promotes the local tourism industry.

Tourist Friend Prepaid Card Based on a pre-paid concept, cardholders can obtain discounts up to 70% at more than 400 Tourist Friend merchants and 20 retail chains nationwide participating in the MasterCard Visit Malaysia Year 2007/2008 Privileges Programme. Cardholders have to upload and reload their monies into the card before usage. Since the card carries the MasterCard brand mark, it can be used locally and overseas at all MasterCard merchants to purchase goods or services with the spending limited to the amount of the money deposited on the card. Cash withdrawal is not allowed for this prepaid card. A handy Tourist Friend guidebook and the MasterCard Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Privileges booklet have detailed information about various discount programmes and promotions.

As a bright idea to promote the growth of tourism of particular tourist segmentation, D-8 Secretariat praised this innovative effort from Malaysia. Malaysia has been renowned in the D-8 Organisation through her efforts to continuously promote and progress Islamic Finance policy and programs which allows some products of Banks, such as sukuk, takaful, etc, will benefiting trade, investment and economy in general.

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