MOU Signing Enhances New Zealand-China Tourism Relationship

Embargoed until 6:00pm
Tuesday 4 June, 2013

MOU Signing Enhances New Zealand-China Tourism Relationship

Tourism New Zealand and UnionPay International today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at supporting Chinese tourism to New Zealand.

The MoU commits Tourism New Zealand to increasing awareness of UnionPay cards as an option for Chinese tourists to pay for goods or services in New Zealand.

UnionPay International is committed to promoting New Zealand as a tourist destination for Chinese tourists.

The MOU was signed by Chair of Tourism New Zealand Kerry Prendergast and First Executive Vice President of China UnionPay and CEO of UnionPay International Mr Cai Jianbo, at a function at Parliament, hosted and witnessed by the Associate Minister of Tourism, Hon. Chris Tremain.

Kerry Prendergast says official recognition of UnionPay by way of this MoU serves as a clear indicator that New Zealand is “open for business” to all Chinese visitors to New Zealand.

“It is important that New Zealand is perceived by potential Chinese visitors as a place which is welcoming and convenient for them to travel to.

“Most Chinese visitors to New Zealand hold UnionPay electronic cards so from their point of view the more businesses that accept UnionPay cards, the better. And it is better for our operators too.

“By making it more convenient for visitors to use their UnionPay cards at a wider range of places in New Zealand, we can have a positive result in terms of both the quality of the visitor experience and an increased visitor spend.”

China is New Zealand’s second largest source of international visitors and the most rapidly growing market.

Cai Jianbo says “UnionPay will endeavour to provide its card holders from China and other countries visiting New Zealand with more payment solutions and better experience by taking several initiatives, including enabling more Point-of-Sale terminals to accept UnionPay cards and expediting chip card migration to enhance transaction security.

“I am hopeful that our promotional efforts alongside Tourism New Zealand will channel more Chinese and global customers to visit New Zealand and spend with UnionPay cards.”

ENDS

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