Mastercard elevates premium travel with Asia Pacific’s first Taste by Priceless dining club

Source: Mastercard. Asia Pacific’s first Taste by Priceless dining club is located at Hong Kong International Airport.

Mastercard cardholders from around the world can now enjoy Asia Pacific’s first Taste by Priceless dining club at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), marking the official opening of a new premium airport dining experience. Available to World Legend, World Elite and World Mastercard cardholders travelling through Hong Kong, the benefit can be accessed regardless of where their card was issued.

Located at Terminal 1 near Gate 40, Mastercard’s Taste by Priceless is designed for travellers seeking distinctive dining experiences. Blending culinary storytelling, local chef-led programming and immersive design, Taste by Priceless is offered as part of The Mastercard Collection, Mastercard’s globally-connected portfolio of exceptional dining, entertainment and travel benefits. Through The Mastercard Collection, eligible cardholders can access premium experiences throughout their journey.

Taste by Priceless in Hong Kong features seasonal menus co-created with acclaimed chefs, blending Asian and Western cuisine with celebrated local culinary heritage, and offers distinct dining experiences, designed to accommodate travellers’ preferences and schedules:

The Counter

An intimate, chef-led tasting featuring a multicourse menu with dishes such as shiso & romaine salad, and Superior Chicken soup

The Cove

A relaxed à la carte setting offering tapas-style dishes including pil pil prawns, prawns cooked with garlic, olive oil and chilli, and miso glazed cauliflower

The dining experience is complemented by a selection of Mastercard’s signature desserts and cocktails, created exclusively for Taste by Priceless venues around the world.

World Legend cardholders enjoy unlimited complimentary access for themselves and up to three guests, while World Elite and World cardholders may access Taste by Priceless at a preferential rate. Once admitted, guests can enjoy the full Taste by Priceless experience, including chef-curated dining, signature desserts and beverages, all included as part of their visit. Eligible cardholders can access the dining club within three hours of departure, with no prior reservation required.

“Trips today extend beyond the destination itself,” said Joyce Bo, Executive VP, Core Payments, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.

“As airports increasingly become part of the journey rather than simply a transit point, more travellers are looking for experiences that are worth arriving early for. Taste by Priceless reflects how travel is evolving, turning even a short stopover into a meaningful culinary moment while enabling financial institutions to elevate their premium customer proposition.”

Beyond dining, the venue has been designed as an immersive, multisensory space that blends Mastercard’s brand heritage with local cultural influences. At its heart is a commissioned installation by emerging Chinese artist Xinran Guan, whose oil paintings explore harmony between the material and immaterial.

The launch of Taste by Priceless in Hong Kong expands Mastercard's growing portfolio of elevated airport dining experiences for cardholders, joining Taste by Priceless at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo and a new location slated to open in Mexico City later this year. Beyond the airport, cardholders can also enjoy exceptional dining experiences through Mastercard's broader Priceless portfolio, including LUMA at Hong Kong's historic 1881 Heritage and Priceless restaurants in Rome, Mexico City and São Paulo. 

The Mastercard Collection Taste by Priceless is a part of The Mastercard Collection, Mastercard’s global portfolio of premium travel, dining and entertainment privileges. The Mastercard Collection offers seamless access to fine dining, including more than 400 award-winning restaurants across 10 Asia Pacific markets, alongside priority access to world-class entertainment and travel experiences worldwide. 

Details

Kyra | Taste by Priceless 

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Terminal 1 Near Gate 40, Departures Level (L7) (Accessible by elevator or escalator on mezzanine level) 

Daily, 6 am – 23:59 pm (subject to change) 

Taste by Priceless is open to eligible Mastercard cardholders worldwide, regardless of where their card was issued. Eligible cardholders may access the venue using: 

+ A physical World Legend, World Elite, or World Mastercard card (digital cards are not currently accepted) 

 + A same-day confirmed boarding pass and matching government-issued photo id     

No prior reservation is required. Once admitted, guests can enjoy chef-curated dining, signature desserts and beverages, all included as part of their visit.  

Privileges

World Legend Mastercard cardholders: Unlimited complimentary access for the cardholder and up to three guests Promotional offer (until 30 September 2026): US$70 / HK$550 per person for World Elite and World Mastercard cardholders, and for additional accompanying guests of World Legend Mastercard cardholders 

For full eligibility, pricing and access details for all Mastercard cardholders, please refer to the Terms & Conditions.

Mastercard initiative makes going outdoors more welcoming to people with autism

Source: Mastercard. From left: Julie Nestor, Executive VP, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific; Mastercard, Paridhi Tandon (SAAC); Linda Tay, Senior Director of Programming, Gardens by the Bay; and Bernard Chew, CEO, St Andrew’s Autism Centre.

Mastercard has launched Time for Acceptance in Singapore, an initiative that makes retail, dining and outdoor spaces more welcoming for people with autism. For many persons with autism or sensory sensitivities, and their caregivers, uncertainty about the environment can make going out more challenging. Sudden noise, unclear layouts or even feeling judged or encountering impatience from members of the public can quickly turn everyday moments, from ordering food and waiting in line to asking for help, into points of stress. 

The initiative, developed with St Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC), brings together nine organisations across retail, dining and community spaces to introduce practical changes for persons with autism and their caregivers. These include clearer information, more consistent service cues, better-trained frontline staff, dedicated quieter sessions and sensory-friendly menus to help make visits easier to navigate.

Julie Nestor, Executive VP, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard said that days can be planned, but not environments. “Time for Acceptance is about changing that by introducing practical changes that businesses can implement now, from clearer information to better prepared frontline staff. Mastercard hopes this initiative will encourage more organisations across Singapore to join and help make everyday experiences more inclusive,” she said.

The initiative is launching across 47 locations in collaboration with nine organisations, with more expected to join. More than 220 frontline staff have been trained ahead of launch to better support persons with autism and their caregivers.

Each organisation will introduce changes suited to its own environment and visitor journey. These range from wayfinding support and quieter sessions to staff training and more inclusive dining tools, helping persons with autism and their caregivers know what to expect before and during a visit.

For example, Commonwealth Concepts is piloting staff training and clearer, more supportive service including at The Marmalade Pantry, Baker & Cook and Swissbake. At Gardens by the Bay, the Quiet Morning programme allows individuals on the autism spectrum to experience the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest before the public opening. 

Starbucks Singapore is also participating through Frasers Property’s inclusive wayfinding pilot across seven stores, helping customers navigate malls and find stores more easily. 

To support families beyond individual visits, Mastercard and SAAC have developed a directory of autism-friendly spaces to help persons with autism and their caregivers discover participating locations and better plan outings in advance. 

Mastercard and SAAC are also developing a series of online training modules for frontline staff and participating organisations. Delivered in consultation with SAAC’s Centre of Advocacy and Public Education, these modules cover topics such as understanding autism, communication, sensory differences, routines and social interaction. 

The training is designed to help businesses build confidence in supporting persons with autism through clearer, more consistent practices and thoughtful interactions. 

“Real acceptance starts with the willingness to make accommodations that help persons with autism and their caregivers feel more confident in everyday spaces,” said Bernard Chew, CEO of St Andrew’s Autism Centre. 

“Through Time for Acceptance, we are working with Mastercard and participating partners to turn lived experience into practical tools and guidance that equip organisations to take meaningful steps toward more inclusive practices. We invite more businesses to join us in making inclusion part of everyday life, alongside many others who are already committed to creating more inclusive spaces.”

Mandai Wildlife Group, steward of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, will offer a special menu at the official launch event at Crimson Restaurant in Bird Paradise, featuring Mastercard’s Sensory Notes. The programme helps persons with autism or sensory sensitivities order more confidently.

Agatha Yap, CMO, Mandai Wildlife Group, added: “Crimson Restaurant at Bird Paradise is a flamingo-themed dining experience offering breathtaking views of an aviary and birds like macaws taking flight. We want every guest to feel welcome, and through our participation in Mastercard’s Sensory Notes programme, we are piloting how clearer information about what to expect, ingredients and flavour profiles can be incorporated into our menus. 

"We hope to learn from this collaboration and make the dining experience even more comfortable and enjoyable – particularly for visitors with autism and sensory sensitivities. It’s a small but meaningful way to make our spaces more accessible for everyone.”

Time for Acceptance builds on #AcceptanceMatters campaign, Mastercard’s autism inclusion campaign launched in Singapore in 2024 to raise awareness of hidden disabilities, including autism. The new initiative shifts from awareness to implementation by focusing on practical changes businesses can make in day-to-day operations and customer interactions. 

Participating organisations include: 

Amped Trampoline Park

Amped Trampoline Park runs dedicated weekly sessions for neurodivergent children, with reduced music and announcements, lower capacity, access to a quiet room, and trained staff. As part of Time for Acceptance, these quieter sessions help create a more welcoming play experience for families and reflect the park’s long-running commitment to more supportive environments for neurodivergent children. 

Nicole Sparkes, Director & Owner, Amped Trampoline Park said: “At Amped, we have seen how much difference a calmer, more considered environment can make for neurodivergent children and their families. We hope Time for Acceptance encourages more businesses to make simple but meaningful adjustments so more families can feel welcome, safe and included.” 

Commonwealth Concepts 

Commonwealth Concepts is piloting inclusive service practices across 17 outlets, including The Marmalade Pantry, Baker & Cook and Swissbake. At launch, more than 50 frontline staff will undergo training developed with St Andrew’s Autism Centre to support persons with autism with greater care, patience and empathy. This includes using simple, direct language, allowing more time for ordering, and responding calmly in high-stress situations to help create lower-stress dining experiences.

Said Betty Tan, Group Head, Commercial Strategy and Partnerships, Commonwealth Concepts: “Inclusion should be felt in everyday moments, including something as simple as dining out with confidence and ease. Through Time for Acceptance, we are equipping our teams with practical skills to serve persons with autism and their caregivers with greater patience, clarity and care across our restaurants.”

Frasers Property Singapore 

Frasers Property Singapore continues to strengthen its Inclusion Champions programme across its malls to better support shoppers with diverse needs, including individuals on the autism spectrum, persons living with dementia, and their caregivers. To date, it has engaged 37 retail brands and trained over 300 frontline staff. This includes more than 110 Dementia Go-To Points across participating tenant outlets, as well as Calm Hours across 81 outlets. 

The organisation plans to onboard 20 additional brands this year in addition to expanding its efforts through ongoing enhancements. 

Commented Adrian Tan, MD, Retail, Frasers Property Singapore: “Our participation in Mastercard’s Time for Acceptance campaign reflects our commitment to advancing inclusion through partnerships. By working alongside like-minded organisations, tenants, and communities, we amplify our impact and shape our malls into welcoming second places that support everyday life.” 

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is participating in Time for Acceptance through its Quiet Morning programme, where individuals on the autism spectrum can experience the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest one hour before opening to the public, with reduced noise, minimal announcements, and lower visitor density. 

Since its introduction in 2024, Quiet Morning has supported over 1,200 persons with autism and their caregivers. In collaboration with St Andrew’s Autism Centre, visual and written guides were developed to help visitors better prepare for their visit. 

Staff and volunteers were also trained to better support and engage persons on the autism spectrum. An online sensory map is also in the pipeline, providing real-time information on sensory conditions such as noise, lighting and crowd levels, while highlighting sensory-friendly routes across the Gardens. 

Linda Tay, Senior Director of Programming, Gardens by the Bay commented: “As a people’s garden, we believe in inclusivity and that the beauty of nature should be accessible to everyone. Through specially curated programmes like Quiet Morning, we provide a calm and conducive environment for persons with autism to enjoy what Gardens by the Bay has to offer. 

Time for Acceptance is a meaningful programme, and we are glad to be part of this journey to foster greater understanding and inclusion.” 

I’mable (by SG Enable) 

I’mable, a public education initiative by SG Enable, supports efforts to move inclusion from awareness to everyday practice. It works with organizations to implement practical adjustments such as staff training, clear communication, sensory considerations, and flexible service approaches, helping to create more supportive everyday environments for persons with autism and their caregivers.

Observed Edward Chew, Senior Director, Employment and Lifelong Learning Group, SG Enable: “Inclusion begins with actions that go beyond intention. We are encouraged to see Time for Acceptance help move inclusion from awareness to everyday practice, and we hope it inspires more organisations to create environments where persons with autism and their caregivers feel respected, understood and welcome.”

King Living

King Living is focused on inclusive customer service practices, covering all its showroom design consultants and customer service staff. The initiative focuses on ensuring a consistent and welcoming customer experience across consultation and purchase touchpoints. 

Stated Ili Ibrahim, Regional Retail Manager SEA, King Living: “At King Living, we believe every customer should feel welcome, respected and at ease throughout their experience with us. Through Time for Acceptance, we are formalising inclusive service practices across our Singapore showrooms and hope this helps encourage more brands to make inclusion part of everyday customer experience.” 

Mandai Wildlife Group 

Mandai Wildlife Group is supporting Time for Acceptance with a sample menu at Crimson Restaurant in Bird Paradise featuring Mastercard’s Sensory Notes.  

First piloted at the 2026 Australian Open, Sensory Notes helps diners understand what to expect before ordering by describing dishes in clear, literal terms — including texture, taste intensity, preparation and presentation. It is designed to reduce uncertainty around food and dining, which can be a barrier for some persons with autism. 

While a showcase for now, it offers a practical example of how food and beverage operators can take steps toward more inclusive dining experiences. The initiative complements Mandai Wildlife Group’s broader efforts to make the precinct a more welcoming and accessible destination for autistic visitors and their families. 

SAFRA

Employees across all seven SAFRA clubs have been learning more about autism through workshops conducted by St Andrew’s Autism Centre since March 2026.

Yap Mong Nah, Deputy CEO of the Club Management & Engagement Group at SAFRA, commented: “Our seven clubhouses are popular places where national servicemen bring their families, including family members with autism. By providing opportunities for our employees to gain a deeper understanding of how persons with autism may interact and experience their surroundings differently, we aim to create an even more welcoming and inclusive environment at our clubs.”

Starbucks Singapore

Starbucks Singapore is participating in Frasers Property’s Inclusion Champions programme as part of an inclusive wayfinding mapping pilot. The initiative is currently implemented across seven stores — Century Square, Hougang Mall, The Centrepoint, Waterway Point, White Sands, Northpoint City and Eastpoint Mall. As part of the pilot, Starbucks is introducing in-store navigation support to help customers find stores within malls more easily and navigate ordering more clearly.

Additional measures include calm shopping hours within selected malls and dedicated in-store spaces that serve as dementia go-to points.

Ruth Yam, Head of Commercial, Starbucks Singapore stated: “At Starbucks, we want every visit to feel welcoming and easy to navigate. Through Time for Acceptance and our wayfinding pilot with Frasers Property, we hope to help." 

In Singapore, more than one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism.  

Explore

Browse the sensory-friendly spaces directory and training resources for Time for Acceptance, and find out how your organisation can join at https://www.saac.org.sg/timeforacceptance

Priceless Planet Coalition expands

Mastercard has welcomed new global coalition partners to the Priceless Planet Coalition, as well as environmental experts to the newly-announced Advisory Committee.

New partners based in the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) include: Australia's Archa, Emirates NBD, Expo 2020 Dubai, Frank Green of Australia, UAE-headquartered payments solution provider Network International, and Australian fintech 1derful join existing coalition members from the US and UK. New partners HSBC and Scotiabank have a significant presence in APME, while another new partner, payment solutions provider EedenBull, has Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

Launched in January 2020, the Priceless Planet Coalition unites the efforts of consumers, financial institutions, merchants and cities to fight climate change through the restoration of 100 million trees over five years – together with climate science and forest restoration experts Conservation International (CI) and World Resources Institute (WRI). Coalition partners in multiple regions are launching campaigns to enlist consumers in environmental action and reforestation efforts with innovative donation technologies.

“Mastercard is committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy, where people, communities and the planet can thrive. Through the Priceless Planet Coalition, we are empowering our global network of partners and consumers – who share our commitment to being a force for good in the world – to unite in action and create exponential impact for the environment,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Digital Officer, Mastercard.

“We continue to embed sustainability into the very fabric of our business – including our digital product strategy – as more consumers look to change their behaviour and make mindful spending choices that are better for the planet.”

A new Advisory Committee will support the development of the Priceless Planet Coalition’s work. Committee members will use the latest scientific research and data to ensure that the Priceless Planet Coalition makes the greatest positive impact on both the climate globally and on local communities.

Core to the Priceless Planet Coalition’s mission is empowering and inspiring consumers to take action against climate change. The Priceless Planet Coalition aims to reinforce a restoration model that’s not only focused on planting trees, but on regrowing forests in geographies with the greatest need and most potential for a positive climate, community and biodiversity impact. 

Guided by CI, WRI, and its new Advisory Committee, the Coalition plans to use rigorous science-based best practices to identify three restoration locations for 2021 in Kenya, Brazil and Australia. Beyond these initial projects, the project portfolio will be expanded to include other locations that meet established criteria.

Mastercard continues to develop environmentally-conscious solutions that enable more people to embrace a sustainable lifestyle through their spending choices:

- A collaboration with the Swedish fintech startup and new coalition partner Doconomy enables people to track, understand and take accountability of their environmental footprint through digital tools that set a new standard for purpose-driven payment solutions.

- For people interested in contributing to reforestation projects and other environmental causes, a Mastercard donation platform and soon-to-be-available mobile app enable direct donations to the reforestation partners of the Priceless Planet Coalition and round up everyday purchases.

- Mastercard also offers a widget, a web API that can facilitate banks and merchants to enable cardholder donations in diverse points of the consumer journey.

- Mastercard is also embedding the coalition into loyalty programmes run on behalf of issuers and merchants. For example, the company will enable cardholders to redeem reward points for trees through their gift catalogue and in real time through Mastercard Pay with Rewards.

- To enable issuers to offer cards made from more sustainable materials, Mastercard recently launched the Sustainable Materials Directory, encouraging wider adoption of certified eco-friendly solutions. Mastercard has approved 34 different sustainable card products to date, which have been issued by more than 60 financial institutions.

- Mastercard continues to target the reduction of first-use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and to research alternative materials for cards, including recyclable, bio-sourced and biodegradable material in collaboration with leading vendors through its leadership of the Greener Payments Partnership (GPP).

Earlier this year, Mastercard was the first in the payments industry to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for an updated emissions target, which aligns to a 1.5-degree Celsius climate trajectory. The company also joined RE100, formalising a commitment to continue using 100% renewable energy across all of its global operations.

Hashtag: #pricelessplanet

Mastercard: APAC consumers shifting to digital commerce and won't be looking back

In the COVID-19 era, consumers in Asia Pacific are rapidly going digital with purchases of everything from groceries to movies in a shift that looks set to become permanent after the pandemic passes, Mastercard research* shows.

E-commerce and contactless payments continue to grow in popularity as people make the move to digital by default and we reduce our use of cash, according to an ongoing study by Mastercard in multiple markets around the world that analyses the impact of current and future consumer behaviour.

“Our shift to digital commerce is here to stay as people embrace the benefits of safety, security and convenience. Consumers now want on-demand products and services – whether it’s food delivery, groceries, fitness courses, telemedicine, conferencing, learning or entertainment. This demand and these expectations will continue to drive e-commerce long after COVID-19 subsides,” said Sandeep Malhotra, Executive VP, Products & Innovation, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.

“As communities and economies emerge from the pandemic, the new consumer mindset sends a clear signal to merchants of all shapes and sizes that online shopping and touch-free transactions are essential to building the business and ensuring customer loyalty now and in the future.”

The digital momentum created by greater Internet access, the proliferation of smart devices and growing e-commerce is transforming how consumers buy and merchants sell. As lines blur between physical and digital, businesses must change how they think about every aspect – from customer interaction and retention to inventory, production and logistics.

The global survey underscores the movement to contactless after a Mastercard study in April showed that 79% of people worldwide and 91% in Asia Pacific were using tap-and-go payments. Citing safety and cleanliness, 74% of people globally and 75% in Asia Pacific said they would keep using contactless after the pandemic is over.

Source: Mastercard. E-commerce and contactless payments continue to grow in popularity in APAC, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With people concerned about safety and many stores shut during the COVID-19 outbreak, digital commerce revenues grew 20% globally in the first quarter of 2020 from a year earlier, according to the Salesforce Shopping Index.
The Mastercard study highlights the need for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, to move into e-commerce and have an online presence during and after the pandemic. The shift is underway globally as almost six in 10 consumers say the move to digital payments is likely to be permanent and nearly half plan to use cash less even after the pandemic passes.

E-commerce is on the rise in Asia Pacific with 30% of people in Australia, 49% in India, 55% in China and 34% in Japan planning to make more purchases online. At the same time, consumers think less in-store shopping is here to stay – say 38% in Australia, 68% in India, 57% in China and 40% in Japan.

In Asia Pacific, 46% of consumers say they plan to use cash less often, including 52% in Australia, 49% in India, 43% in China and 41% in Japan. A large majority – 71% in Australia, 77% in India, 73% in China and 62% in Japan – believe the shift to contactless payments is also here to stay.

Mastercard adopted a drive into digital commerce many years before COVID-19 to maximise options and convenience for consumers in how and where they shop and pay – by tapping a card or mobile device on a contactless terminal in a shop, using an e-wallet within a smart phone, making a purchase online or seamlessly transferring money and paying bills.

With the focus on safety and security, Mastercard’s mission is to provide a fast, frictionless payment experience that is protected at every step.

Source: Mastercard infographic. APAC consumers plan to use less cash going forward.

Earlier this year, Mastercard announced commitments to raise contactless payment limits in more than 50 countries worldwide. The limit increases are part of Mastercard’s global effort to ensure consumers, merchants and small businesses have the resources they need to pay safely, receive payment and keep operations running during COVID-19.

Mastercard works with partners across the region and across the ecosystem of merchants, financial institutions and fintechs to create and deliver products that are becoming the standard in many markets. These include the launch of digital card programmes with GrabPay in Singapore and the Philippines and with Hong Kong virtual banks Mox by Standard Chartered and WeLab Bank.

For merchants of all sizes, Mastercard has a range of solutions and services in e-commerce, payments, cybersecurity, fraud protection, data analytics and productivity to help businesses thrive in the changing business environment.

In India, Mastercard, Axis Bank and Worldline recently launched Soft POS, an app that transforms smartphones into point-of-sale terminals to give merchants and consumers the simplicity and security of contactless payments. The cost-effective acceptance solution also helps small merchants by eliminating the need to invest in a POS device, linking to various digital payment platforms, offering an online catalogue of items for sale and making it easier to get business loans by keeping a record of transactions.

“These are challenging times for everyone but we’re seeing innovation and change that will help all of us to emerge stronger,” Malhotra said.

“The digital economy is the future and there’s no doubt consumers and merchants are embracing this evolution. Now that people are experiencing and expecting the security, simplicity and seamlessness of digital commerce, there’s just no turning back.”

*Mastercard proprietary study conducted between April 27 and May 17 2020 with a total of 6,750 adults interviewed across 15 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Russia, UAE, UK and US.

Mastercard introduces audio brand identity

Mastercard debuts its sonic brand identity, a melody that signifies the latest advancement for the brand. Wherever consumers engage with Mastercard across the globe – be it physical, digital or voice environments - the distinct and memorable Mastercard melody will provide familiarity, the brand said.

The news comes on the heels of the company’s recent transition to a symbol brand - one without the company's name - and is part of its continued brand transformation.

“Sound adds a powerful new dimension to our brand identity and a critical component to how people recognise Mastercard today and in the future,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Mastercard.

“We set out an ambitious goal to produce the Mastercard melody in a way that’s distinct and authentic, yet adaptable globally and across genres. It is important that our sonic brand not only reinforces our presence, but also resonates seamlessly around the world.”

To ensure the Mastercard melody would resonate with people the world over, Mastercard tapped musicians, artists and agencies from across the globe, including musical innovator Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.

The result is a distinct melody that maintains a consistent global brand voice. In addition, the use of varying instruments and tempos help to deliver the Mastercard melody in several unique styles such as operatic, cinematic and playful and that is open to a number of regional interpretations.

The Mastercard melody is the foundation of the company’s sound architecture and will extend to many assets, from musical scores, sound logos and ringtones, to hold music and point-of-sale acceptance sounds.

“What I love most about the Mastercard melody, is just how flexible and adaptable it is across genres and cultures,” said Shinoda.

“It’s great to see a big brand expressing themselves through music to strengthen their connection with people.”

With voice shopping set to hit US$40 billion by 2022 , according to data from OC&C Strategy Consultants, audio identities are set to connect brands with consumers on a new dimension.



"Audio makes people feel things, and that's what makes it such a powerful medium for brands, said Matt Lieber, Cofounder and President, Gimlet.

“With the explosion of podcasts, music streaming, and smart speakers, an audio strategy is no longer a nice-to-have for brands — it’s a necessity. A sonic identity — the audio calling card for a brand — is now just as important as a brand’s visual identity.”

In the lead up to the 61^st GRAMMY Awards (February 10 US time), Mastercard will launch a new multichannel marketing programme starring GRAMMY-nominated artist Camila Cabello, which will be the first creative output to feature the brand’s sound logo.

Following the US introduction, the Mastercard sound will head to The BRIT Awards in London, UK and then Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Additional activations and sonic integrations will be announced around the world in the coming months.

Explore:

Watch the Mastercard video featuring the Mastercard sound (after 1.03) and another elaborating on the Mastercard sound

To hear how a corporate melody can be adapted, watch HSBC videos featuring the HSBC sound - the Mindfulness edit, the Connected edit, the Inspiration edit, the Stadium edit, and the Orchestral edit

Mastercard, CrescentRating release halal travel trend forecast for 2019

Source: Mastercard, CrescentRating.

The Mastercard-CrescentRating Halal Travel Frontier 2019 (HTF2019) Report has identified 17 trends that will shape the next phase of development in the fast-growing travel sector for Muslim travellers.

The top trends include:

· The integration of augmented reality to give Muslim travellers crucial cultural insights, including eateries that are halal-certified.

· The proliferation of chatbots which are custom-designed to satisfy the cultural and religious needs of a Muslim traveller.

· Non-traditional destinations such as Japan and Taiwan will increasingly attract Muslim travellers.

Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with the increased penetration of smartphones, will also drive new trends that will redefine the Muslim travel experience – from planning to purchasing, and sharing travel adventures.

Driven by the demand for more authentic, affordable and accessible experiences, more Millennials and Gen Z travellers will book “instant noodle trips” - affordable, impromptu short trips.

In addition, heightened awareness on social causes and the rising authority of female influencers when planning trips, are also expected to result in changes in the way that Muslims travel.

The report also foresees non-OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) destinations, such as Japan and Taiwan, will change the Muslim-friendly narrative. Competition and dynamism are expected lead to innovations and developments that will benefit both destinations as well as Muslim travellers.

Finally, the report foresees the consolidation of Muslim travel service providers that will potentially result in the emergence of stronger Muslim lifestyle and travel brands.

"We hope this motivates all players to embrace and further benefit from the growth.” said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating and HalalTrip.

“The Halal Travel Frontier 2019 Report gives businesses, governments and other stakeholders in the travel sector an overview of the trends sweeping the fast-growing halal travel industry and how they can maximise opportunities in this fast growing travel sector,” said Safdar Khan, Division President, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, Mastercard.

The global Muslim traveller expenditure is projected to reach US$220 billion in 2020 according to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2018. It is expected to grow a further US$80 billion to hit US$300 billion by 2026. In 2017, there were an estimated 131 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally - up from 121 million in 2016 - and this is forecast to grow to 156 million visitors by 2020, representing 10% of the global travel segment.

Explore:
 
Read the Halal Travel Frontier 2019 report

Check out the WorkSmart Asia blog post on digital halal travel trends

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the Japan Muslim Travel Index 2017

Hashtag: #HTF2019

Online travel expenditure by Muslim travellers will exceed US$180 billion by 2026

Source: CrescentRating website. Cover for the
Mastercard-CrescentRating Digital Muslim
Travel Report 2018.

The increasing reliance by Muslim Millennials and Generation (Gen) Z* on the Internet, social media and smartphones for discovering new travel destinations and then booking trips is driving a significant revenues for the travel industry.

In 2017, CrescentRating found that Muslim Millennials rely very heavily on social media and online reviews for travel; travel two to five times annually, and look for halal food and prayer tools online - behaviours condensed into the pillars accessibility, affordability and authenticity.

"This year continue the discussion and fully understand their journey not just from the Millennial point of view, but also zoom out and really understand the profiles of Millennial travellers in general," Raudha Zaini, Marketing Manager, HalalTrip and CrescentRating said.

Unveiled at the Halal-In-Travel Asia Summit, the Mastercard-CrescentRating Digital Muslim Travel Report 2018 (DMTR2018) has revealed what shapes the growth of online purchases by the next generation of Muslim travellers. The research projects that online travel expenditure by Muslim travellers will exceed US$180 billion by 2026.

The DMTR2018 is the first comprehensive report looking at the online travel patterns and attitudes of Muslim travellers across different demographic groups. It extends the research on the digital Muslim traveller population, expanding beyond the Muslim Millennial traveller (MMT) segment which was studied last year in the Muslim Millennial Travel Report 2017, and also analyses travellers along the continuum of strictly practising, "less practising" and practising travellers.

Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating and HalalTrip, said “The DMTR2018 reveals important online behaviour and preferences of Muslim travellers. It will equip tourism destinations, tour operators, airlines and other tourism and hospitality stakeholders with insights of online platforms and social networking services to evaluate the potential within the Muslim market.

“With the rapid proliferation of enabling online technologies and payment methods and the rise of Muslim digital natives, as a major segment within the Muslim travel market, the outlook for the digital space is very positive. Destinations need to ensure that their messages reach Muslim travellers through online channels. This report gives the industry a practical and ready segmentation criterion to empathise with different demographics. Digital is real and transcends generations.”

Key takeaways from the DMTR2018 included:

- Digital is real and transcends generations

Different generations are using digital, though they behave differently, Zaini said.

- Content is key.

"You have to focus on all segments, and not just Muslim Millennial travellers," Zaini noted. 

- A mix of online platforms are used per product or service journey

"The impact on business is that you need to be agile enough to appropriately display your content, be it desktop or mobile, and be smart enough to understand what users are looking for," she said.

Devesh Kuwadekar, VP, Market Development, Mastercard, noted that 2018 marks the fourth year of Mastercard's partnership with CrescentRating. He said, “The halal travel market continues to be one of the fastest growing travel segments globally, with Muslim visitor arrivals representing about 10% of the entire travel industry globally in 2017. Muslim travellers are spending more time online researching and comparing information before they finally choose and pay for their ideal travel experience.

"Mastercard works with likeminded partners to create tailored offerings for customers across a wide range of passion points. As consumers explore more countries and regions, Mastercard is also seeing an increase in the use of cashless and digital payments through prepaid and debit options as a safer, more convenient and reliable form of electronic payments for greater peace of mind when travelling.”

"We are collaborating with banks and others to create a safer experience across all touch points," he added.

Online travel purchases will be worth US$180 billion in 2026.

Muslim Millennials go online to plan their trips, accounting for 40% of all Muslim traveller transactions, but Gen X and Gen Z as well as Baby Boomers (listed as Others) are also digital users.

The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2018, released in April this year, confirmed that the Muslim travel market will continue its fast-paced growth to reach US$220 billion in 2020 and US$300 billion by 2026. In 2017, there was an estimated 131 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally. CrescentRating research indicates that more than 60% of Muslim travellers were either Millennials or Gen Z.

The GMTI 2018 found that 30 Muslim outbound markets** represent 90% of the overall Muslim visitor arrivals and should be the focus of the travel industry. This study looked at the “digitally enabled” environment of these markets to understand the potential of digital transactions. These destinations have been divided into distinctive clusters based on the market size and digital access.

Cluster A Large outbound markets with a high level of digital enablement	KSA Malaysia UAE	These are regions with large Muslim populations and high per-capita GDP, allowing a high percentage of travellers to travel internationally. The majority of the residents in these countries are digital-savvy and have the latest digital infrastructures.
Cluster B High level of digital enablement but smaller outbound markets	OIC countries Kuwait Qatar Lebanon Tunisia Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Non-OIC countries UK Germany France Singapore Russia	These are countries with residents who are digital-savvy and have the latest digital landscapes but their populations are smaller in comparison to those in Cluster A.
Cluster C Good level of digital enablement but smaller outbound markets	Oman Albania Morocco China	They have good digital infrastructures but the population of Muslim travellers travelling internationally is still small.
Cluster D Emerging growth markets with fast-growing levels of digital enablement	Turkey Indonesia Egypt Iran	These are majority Muslim countries with a growing outbound travel market. Even though they may not have widespread digital infrastructures yet, businesses can look at these markets for medium-to-long term prospects.

Bahardeen noted that while the markets are diverse, the travellers share values of a common faith and identify as Muslims. That said, they come from different locations, speak multiple languages and dialects, and have differences in cultural lifestyle, plus varying degrees of halal consciousness.

"It is not a homogeneous market. You really have to get an understanding of each of those markets," he said, adding that someone from a more secular country who goes to a strict Muslim country may become stricter during a trip, and vice versa, so there cannot be hard and fast rules on hospitality. 

"We have to look at different ways of catering to them," he said.

Explore:

Read the Mastercard-CrescentRating Digital Muslim Travel Report 2018 report 

Hashtags: #halalintravel, #itbasia2018

*According to CrescentRating, baby boomers are classed as those born between 1946 and 1964; Generation or Gen Xers were born between 1965 and 1980; Millennials from 1981 to 1996, while Gen Zers were born from 1997 onwards.

**Outbound refers to people from one country going to travel overseas. Inbound refers to the opposite, people from other countries travelling to a particular country.

Muslim travellers accounted for 10% of the global travel industry

• Malaysia and Singapore top the list of OIC and non-OIC markets for the third consecutive year
• Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan saw the biggest improvements in ranking on the overall top 10 list
• Singapore is the only non-OIC destination in the overall top 10
• In 2016, there were an estimated 121 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally – up from 117 million in 2015 – representing 10% of the entire travel industry

Source: GMTI 2017. Top OIC and non-OIC destinations for Muslim travellers.

Malaysia and Singapore have strengthened their positions as top performing destinations of a sector expected to be worth US$220 billion by 2020 according to research* released on the global Muslim travel market. Released on May 3 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2017, which covers 130 destinations, saw Malaysia keep the top spot while Indonesia moved up to third place in the overall rankings.

The index showed a number of non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations in Asia rise in the rankings, a result of the concerted effort to adapt their services to cater to and attract the Muslim travel market. Singapore retained its pole position for the non-OIC destinations, with Thailand, the UK, South Africa and Hong Kong rounding up the top five. Japan moved up two places to take sixth spot with Spain entering the top 10 for the first time.

The research showed that the Muslim travel market will continue to grow at a fast pace with the sector estimated to grow to US$220 billion in 2020. It is expected to grow a further US$80 billion to reach US$300 billion by 2026. It was also revealed that in 2016, there were an estimated 121 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally – up from 117 million in 2015 – and this is forecast to grow to 156 million visitors by 2020 representing 10% of the travel segment.

Asia has remained the leading region in the world in terms of attractiveness to Muslim tourists with an average GMTI score of 57.6, with Africa coming in second place at 47.0, followed by Oceania (43.8), Europe (39.9) and the Americas (33.7).

Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating and HalalTrip, said the GMTI continues to reveal detailed insights which will assist destinations in better understanding the shifting needs of the segment.
“We are definitely seeing the influence of a new breed of young travellers, Millennials and Gen Z who are combining technology with a real desire to explore the world while still adhering to their faith-based needs,” he said.

“They will be the driving force for the next phase of growth. These younger travellers want greater choice, unique experiences and constant connectivity which can be seen with the growth of other Muslim lifestyle segments such as halal food and modest fashion which link perfectly with the travel market.

“As Muslim travel continues to diversify, keeping on top of the demographics of the travellers though these insights from the GMTI will be paramount for destination management teams and decision makers who are ultimately sourcing solutions for this market.”

Safdar Khan, Division President, Indonesia, Malaysia & Brunei, Mastercard said, “With an overall expenditure of around US$155 billion in 2016, the Muslim travel market remains a strong driver for the continued growth in travel across the world. It’s constantly evolving with major forces such as changing demographics and digitization shaping the way the industry is progressing.

“Technology for example is improving the experiences of Muslim travellers every step of the way from the planning phase to the experience phase and the sharing phase. There is a huge opportunity for service providers to innovate and adapt their offerings to cater to the unique needs of this segment at each of these phases across multiple touch points. At Mastercard, we’re committed to supporting the growth of this segment and are working with our partners to constantly develop new and innovative programmes and offerings for Muslim consumers.”

Overall Top 10 Destinations (OIC & Non-OIC)
	2017		2016
Rank	Destination	Score	Destination	Score
1	Malaysia	82.5	Malaysia	81.9
2	UAE	76.9	UAE	74.7
3	Indonesia	72.6	Turkey	73.9
4	Turkey	72.4	Indonesia	70.6
5	KSA	71.4	Qatar	70.5
6	Qatar	70.5	KSA	70.4
7	Morocco	68.1	Oman	70.3
8	Oman	67.9	Singapore	68.4
9	Bahrain	67.9	Morocco	68.3
10	Singapore	67.3	Jordan	65.4

Top 10 OIC Destinations
	2017		2016
Rank	Destination	Score	Destination	Score
1	Malaysia	82.5	Malaysia	81.9
2	UAE	76.9	UAE	74.7
3	Indonesia	72.6	Turkey	73.9
4	Turkey	72.4	Indonesia	70.6
5	KSA	71.4	Qatar	70.5
6	Qatar	70.5	KSA	70.4
7	Morocco	68.1	Oman	70.3
8	Oman	67.9	Morocco	68.3
9	Bahrain	67.9	Jordan	65.4
10	Iran	66.8	Bahrain	65.3

Top 10 Non-OIC Destinations
	2017		2016
Rank	Destination	Score	Destination	Score
1	Singapore	67.3	Singapore	68.4
2	Thailand	61.8	Thailand	59.5
3	UK	60.0	UK	59.0
4	South Africa	53.6	South Africa	53.1
5	Hong Kong	53.2	Hong Kong	53.0
6	Japan	52.8	France	51.6
7	Taiwan	52.4	Taiwan	50.1
8	France	52.1	Japan	49.1
9	Spain	48.8	Sri Lanka	49.0
10	US	48.6	US	48.9

Interested?

Download the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index

Explore interactive infographics from GMTI 2017

Watch the video introducing the GMTI

Hashtags: #220by2020, #GMTI2017

*The GMTI focuses on one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world, representing 10% of the entire travel economy. It helps destinations, travel services, travelers and investors to track the health and growth of this travel segment while benchmarking their individual progress in reaching out to this growing travel segment.
This year, the report introduces a strategic tool to help destinations and businesses translate GMTI criteria to actionable plans to improve the Muslim-friendliness of a destination. This takes into account both the destination’s macro policies and ways to improve market outreach, build capacity and capability.

All 130 destinations in the GMTI were scored against a backdrop of four key strategic criteria – access, communications, environment and services – which are further divided into 11 subsections. These include Muslim arrivals, air connectivity, visa restrictions, suitability as a family holiday destination, ease of communication, the level of services and facilities it provides, accommodation options and marketing initiatives. Each criteria was then weighted to make up the overall index score.

**Pew Research, February 2017

Bangkok is the most-visited destination in Asia Pacific

Source: Mastercard. Report cover.

While Bangkok, Thailand remains the most-visited destination in the Asia Pacific region, Singapore continues to lead the Thai capital in total visitor expenditure, according to the latest findings from the Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2017*.

Singapore has tracked a 18% leap in visitor spend over 2015 and 2016. One of only five destinations of the top 20 by total expenditure to reach a minimum spend of US$200 per day, Singapore attracted the highest spending visitors at US$254 per day, followed by Beijing, mainland China (US$242), Shanghai, China (US$234), Hong Kong (US$211) and Taipei, Taiwan (US$208).

Half of the top 20 most-visited destinations in Asia Pacific saw more than 10% growth in international overnight arrivals from 2015 to 2016. Destinations that benefitted most from this growth include Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian markets – Seoul, Korea (32.7%), Osaka, Japan (23.8%), Bali, Indonesia (22.5%), Tokyo, Japan (22.2%), Hokkaido, Japan (21.9%), Chiba, Japan (21.5%) and Pattaya, Thailand (20.6%).

This growth provides significant opportunities which governments, tourism bodies, and merchants can benefit from, including greater economic, cultural and infrastructural development.

Overall, overnight arrivals** to the 171 Asia Pacific destinations in 2016 stood at 339.2 million (9.8% CAGR from 2009 to 2016), led by Bangkok which tracked 19.3 million visitors. Singapore (13.1 million) came in second place, followed by Tokyo (12.6 million), Seoul (12.4 million) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (11.3 million). China stands as Asia Pacific’s most avid outbound travel market, having contributed 55 million international overnight visitors to the region last year or 16.2% of the total.

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by international overnight arrivals:

1. Bangkok – 19.3 million

2. Singapore – 13.1 million

3. Tokyo – 12.6 million

4. Seoul – 12.4 million

5. Kuala Lumpur – 11.3 million

6. Phuket, Thailand – 9.1 million

7. Hong Kong – 8.9 million

8. Pattaya – 8.1 million

9. Osaka – 7.4 million

10. Taipei – 7.4 million

Visitors to Asia Pacific destinations are travelling to the region more, and doing so for longer periods. In 2016, visitors to the region stayed for a total of 1,768.7 million nights, an 8.1% CAGR from 1,023.1 million nights in 2009. Bangkok took the lead with 87.6 million nights, while Sydney came in second place with 87.5 million, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 76.7 million.

In particular, Sydney’s second-place position is especially outstanding compared to its number of overnight arrivals. Taking 20th place in the latter ranking, Sydney’s ratio of average number nights stayed versus number of overnight arrivals is shared by fellow Australian destinations Melbourne and Brisbane on the Index. As many tourists have to travel a distance to reach Australia, they are more likely to stay for longer periods to make their journey worthwhile.

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by total nights stayed:

1. Bangkok – 87.6 million

2. Sydney – 87.5 million

3. Kuala Lumpur – 76.7 million

4. Tokyo – 74.3 million

5. Melbourne – 62.9 million

6. Bali, Indonesia – 62.4 million

7. Singapore – 60.7 million

8. Seoul – 56.0 million

9. Brisbane – 51.8 million

10. Taipei – 47.8 million

Spurred by Asia Pacific’s burgeoning middle class, overall tourism expenditure in the region jumped from US$141.5 billion in 2009 to US$244.9 billion in 2016, an 8.2% CAGR Moreover, Asia Pacific’s top 20 source markets contributed US$201.5 billion to the region’s tourism revenues in 2016.

The mass of tourists from Northeast Asia have helped to boost these earnings. Key findings from the Index revealed China (17.7%) and South Korea (8.8%) as the largest contributors to tourism expenditure in Asia Pacific. In fact, these two markets were also top source markets for Singapore (China visitors were the No. 1 tourist segment), Bangkok (China  No. 1) and Tokyo (Korea No. 1, China No. 2), the region’s leading destinations by visitor expenditure. As renowned global shopping and dining locales, they are popular amongst affluent Chinese and South Korean tourists seeking new shopping or culinary experiences.

The top ten Asia Pacific destinations ranked by expenditure:

1. Singapore – US$15.4 billion

2. Bangkok – US$12.7 billion

3. Tokyo – US$11.1 billion

4. Taipei – US$9.9 billion

5. Seoul – US$9.4 billion

6. Bali – US$8.7 billion

7. Phuket – US$8.3 billion

8. Kuala Lumpur – US$7.3 billion

9. Sydney – US$6.8 billion

10. Hong Kong– US$6.6 billion

Interested?

Download the Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2017 report

*The Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index is an offshoot of Mastercard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index. In recent years, Asia Pacific cities have increasingly dominated the fastest growing and most visited destinations in the world. According to the 2016 Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index, five of the ten most visited cities in the world were in Asia Pacific.

The Asia Pacific Destinations Index takes a more in-depth, focused look at these tourism trends, ranking 171 destinations, including island resorts as well as towns and cities across the region, in terms of the total number of international overnight arrivals; cross-border spending; and the total number of nights spent at each destination. These 171 destinations are drawn from 22 countries across Asia Pacific and represent 90% of all international overnight arrivals within the region.

Public data is used in deriving the international overnight visitor arrivals and their cross-border spending in each of the destinations, using custom-made algorithms. This Index and the accompanying reports are not based on Mastercard volumes or transactional data.

*Overnight visitors stay at least one night in the destination country.

Mastercard becomes preferred card partner at Changi Airport, Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Mastercard is now the preferred card partner for Singapore's Changi Airport (CAG), as well as at shopping destination Takashimaya Shopping Centre, fondly known locally as "Taka". The two landmark partnerships provide travellers and shoppers in Singapore with an enhanced selection of dining, shopping and lifestyle experiences.

“Our goal is to ensure that all our travelling, visiting and local cardholders have access to a stellar line-up of Mastercard rewards and benefits. From purchasing gifts and souvenirs at Changi Airport to buying a new outfit or dining at selected restaurants at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, we would like to provide our cardholders with incredible deals, compelling offers and rewards for their loyalty,” said Deborah Heng, Country Manager, Mastercard Singapore.

James Fong, Changi Airport Group’s VP, Landside Concessions, added, “We are delighted to embark on this partnership with Mastercard, which has helped us to create even more value for our visitors and travelers. With an exciting pipeline of exclusive events and promotions curated for Mastercard cardholders, shoppers and diners at Changi Airport will certainly be in for a treat. We look forward to continue working closely with Mastercard to strengthen our value proposition of delivering a rewarding Changi Experience to all our customers.”

Shuichi Hidaka, GM, Shopping Centre Management, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, said, “We are dedicated to providing world-class services and products to all our customers. This partnership with Mastercard will enable us to deliver even more value to our shoppers. We are committed to strengthening our partnership network to foster stronger and more engaging relationships with our customers.”

As the preferred card partner for Changi Airport, both overseas (business and/or leisure travelers) and local cardholders will have access to the benefits and rewards. The partnership also allows for all Mastercard cardholders to enjoy benefits for in-airport promotions and events if they sign up for the Changi Rewards membership programme.

All Mastercard holders are eligible to save up to 20% at participating outlets in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (transit and public areas). All Changi Rewards Members who spend S$240 and over with Mastercard are eligible to redeem a pair of S.E.A. Aquarium one-day tickets (worth S$68) when they shop on the last weekend (Friday and Saturday) of every month. Retail outlets at Changi feature extended shopping hours till 11pm daily all year round. Shops elsewhere in Singapore typically close from 9pm to 10.30pm.

Further, all Mastercard cardholders who spend S$25 in a single same-day receipt at participating restaurants or cafes in Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3, can enjoy an hour of free parking on weekdays from 12pm to 3pm or 6pm to 9pm. 

As the official preferred card partner for Takashimaya Shopping Centre, tourists shopping with Mastercard cards can enjoy up to 15% off at all participating specialty stores, including Books Kinokuniya, Sephora and Pedro.

Interested?

Mastercard is also running promotions with Fiesta On A Great Street along Orchard Road, Singapore till 21 May. Takashimaya Shopping Centre is one of the participating malls

Orchard Road's first-ever lifestyle and shopping campaign brings together everything quintessential Orchard Road in 2017

Source: ORBA. Banner, Fiesta On A Great Street, a first-ever Orchard Road promotion for 2017 that brings together dining, staycations, and leisure promotions.

Orchard Road, one of the most recognised shopping streets in Asia, has launched its first-ever lifestyle and shopping campaign, Fiesta On A Great Street, which will run till 21 May 2017. The event is organised by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), the place manager for the premium shopping precinct in Singapore, and supported by official card Mastercard. Participating malls include 313@somerset, Forum The Shopping Mall, Takashimaya Shopping Centre/Ngee Ann City, Orchard Central, Paragon, Scotts Square and Wisma Atria.

The celebration of shopping, dining and play-and-stay will involve malls and hotels along Orchard Road. Fiesta On A Great Street features popup lifestyle events, shopping promotions and dining deals, only available along Orchard Road. Visitors to Orchard Road can enjoy dining, beauty, fashion, wellness and hotel staycation deals during the campaign.

“As one of the most famous shopping streets in the region, we constantly strive to ensure that the shopping experience on Orchard Road is a rewarding one too, and this time, together with the support of our stakeholders and official card Mastercard, the promotion programme in Fiesta On A Great Street is designed with a wider range of dining, fashion, beauty, hotels’ staycation deals and more, catering to every discerning shopper of any budget on Orchard Road,” said Steven Goh, Executive Director, ORBA.

Exclusive Mastercard shopping privileges S$30 worth of shopping vouchers for the first shoppers to spend S$300 nett to their Mastercard credit/debit cards at participating malls on Orchard Road. The promotion is limited to the first 200 Mastercard cardholders per week per mall from 21 April to 27 April 2017 and from 28 April to 4 May. The promotion will be offered on a while-stocks-last basis for the next two weeks, from 5 May to 21 May 2017.

Deals in-store for Mastercard cardholders at participating malls along Orchard include wellness treatments such as LPG Endermospa Total Care at S$88 (usual price S$300) at Ngee Ann City. Fashion buy highlights include 50% off Converse apparel and accessories with any purchase of footwear, 10% off regular-priced items from agnès b and more. Discounted high tea buffets, one-for-one buffets and other dining offers will also be available along Orchard Road.

Book Hotel Jen orchardgateway, Hotel Jen Tanglin and Regent Hotel up to 21 May with Mastercard to enjoy late checkout, 15% off weekend rates and even complimentary upgrades.

With the Masterpass by Mastercard X ComfortDelGro Taxis Promotion visitors to Orchard Road can also enjoy S$5 off taxi fares with the promo code ORCHARD when riding with ComfortDelGro via the Taxi Booking App with the fares paid through Mastercard payment to and from seven participating malls: 313@somerset, Forum The Shopping Mall, Orchard Central, Paragon, Scotts Square, Takashimaya Shopping Centre/Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria. The promotion is valid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and capped at the first 500 eligible rides transacted every Friday to Saturday, up to 21 May.

Stand a chance to win shopping vouchers in the Shop, Dine & Win Draw with every S$50 spent at participating malls. Charge purchases to a Mastercard card and get triple the chance of winning.

Interested?

Other terms and conditions may apply.

Hashtags: #LeaveBoringBehind, #FiestaOnAGreatStreet, #告别沉闷

posted from Bloggeroid

Mastercard launches debit card with EMV chip with BOC

Mastercard has teamed up with long-term partner Bank of China to launch the Great Wall International Debit Card, China’s first-ever cross-border, multi-currency debit card with an EMV chip.

This pioneering product has been designed to address key pain points for diverse consumer segments – particularly those who travel, study, or shop overseas – and presents a unique offering in China’s debit card market, with access to Mastercard’s global benefits.

Chinese outbound travel and cross-border e-commerce has grown rapidly in recent years, driving demand for payment products that support international purchases. Yet many consumers still face barriers to owning an international credit card, such as freelance workers, students studying outside of China, senior citizens, or those who have to travel at short notice. Some credit card holders can also face certain limitations, such as credit line restrictions overseas and high charges on currency conversions.

Meanwhile, debit cards are becoming increasingly popular, representing 70% of all payment cards and rising, according to consulting firm Retail Banking Research (RBR). This is being driven in part by the lower fees, easier application process, and flexible spending limits associated with debit cards. However, most traditional debit card products in China offer limited functionality, and cannot cater to the full breadth of consumer needs.

Addressing this trend and the challenges Chinese consumers face, Mastercard and the Bank of China have designed the new Great Wall International Debit Card to resolve diverse consumer pain points. For instance, the streamlined application process and more flexible eligibility enables people who are usually excluded from owning credit cards to obtain the card quickly, requiring only a valid form of identification. The card also allows consumers to spend freely according to the funds available in their bank account, which will be appreciated by consumers who are usually restrained by credit limits.

Adding to the product’s differentiation from all other debit cards on the market, cardholders will enjoy exclusive privileges covering travel, dining, and leisure experiences included in Mastercard’s Priceless Cities programme, as well as discounts on overseas shopping and study. Cardholders also enjoy zero conversion charges on 19 foreign currencies, low overseas cash withdrawal fees, and an exchange rate lock function that secures the most favourable rates.

Meanwhile, Mastercard’s EMV chip technology, password protection and an SMS notification service offer consumers peace of mind with the highest level of security on cross-border transactions.

“As China’s most international and diversified banking institution, Bank of China has a long history of leveraging its advantages to build an exclusive product portfolio with unique features and benefits,” said Yang Yimin, GM, Personal Finance, Bank of China. “The Great Wall International Debit Card we are issuing in partnership with Mastercard supports multiple currencies and caters to a variety of unmet consumer needs. At the same time, this product further strengthens our industry-leading foreign currency and cross-border commerce business.”

“Mastercard is committed to sharing its global resources with partners and collaborating to develop customised products that address real challenges for cardholders,” said Dennis Chang, Division President, China, Mastercard. “We are delighted to be working with Bank of China to introduce China’s first cross-border, multi-currency debit card with EMV chip, which addresses the growing global trend in debit card uptake* and meets the needs of diverse consumer segments. This pioneering innovation marks a major new milestone in our three decades of partnership with Bank of China, and we look forward to further collaborations to provide consumers with more secure, convenient, and rewarding cross-border payment solutions.”

Key advantages of the Great Wall International Debit Card include:

• Streamlined application procedure: An applicant may apply for a card at Bank of China branches by presenting his or her valid identity document
• Cash withdrawal at overseas ATMs at any time of the day; handling fee up to a maximum of US$5
• No service charge on currency conversions for overseas purchases
• Supports conversion of 19 foreign currencies
• Spending limit tied to funds available in the relevant bank account
• Yields income from interest; doubles as a foreign exchange and financial management product
• Exchange rate lock function
• Secure online shopping

*RBR Global Payment Cards Data and Forecasts to 2021