Following Visa’s extensive six-week GCC wide Pirates of the Caribbean promotion, 11 lucky winners have proved that a Visa payment card is the best way to pay when they were announced as the lucky grand prize winners from the UAE at an official prize giving on Thursday 26 July 2007.
By using his Visa card to pay for a Showtime UAE subscription online, Mr Hesham Shamlaan a UAE National from Sharjah, was automatically entered into the prize draw.
On hearing that he would be setting sail around the turquoise waters of the Greek islands with his wife, Mr Hesham Shamlaan, said: “I am delighted to have won such a prize and it was so unexpected! I have never been to Greece before and now I have Visa to thank for providing such an amazing opportunity. I use my Visa card to pay online as it is far more convenient than withdrawing cash, visiting the retail outlet and filling in forms by hand. I will continue to shop with Visa and enjoy its numerous rewards.”
During the six-week promotion, every transaction made with a Visa Credit or Visa Electron card automatically entered cardholders into the prize draw to win one of 12 cruises to the Greek Islands with flights courtesy of Emirates Air Lines. By using a Visa payment card at selected retail partners Carrefour, Toys R Us, Damas and Showtime, shoppers doubled their chances by receiving two entries into the grand prize draw.
Presenting the awards, Mr Stephen Coakley, Marketing Communications of Visa International in the Middle East said, “Each time I present such wonderful prizes to our valued cardholders it gives me great pleasure. This promotion is part of Visa’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness on the safety and ease of using Visa debit and credit cards for everyday purchases and online”
Mr.Majed Al Majed, Assistant Brand Manager from Showtime added, “We decided to partner with Visa during the recent Pirates of the Caribbean promotion to offer Visa cardholders double the chance of winning one of these amazing luxury cruises and subscription to the UAE’s leading premium cable television supplier. Our online facility provides a convenient service for Visa cardholders with further benefits such as this promotion. I am proud to be able to offer such a prize in conjunction with another leading brand to offer the best in product and services.”
In addition to Mr Hesham Shamlaan’s win, HSBC customers were in for a treat as three customers won grand prizes; Mr Omar Benani, UAE, Mr Luis Verzosa Dominguez, Bahrain, and Mr Hendrik Abraham Kruger from Qatar. The other winners that were selected from across the gulf to win these fantastic trips for two included, Mr. Mohammad MS, UAE, Mr Sulaiman Mohamed Abdullah Al Salmi from Bank Dohfar, and Reda Mohammad Hasan Marafy from Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait.
Luckily for Showtime customers this competition ran across the GCC and five winners also won fantastic trips for two around the picturesque Greek Islands. The winners included; Mrs Robin Hermann, Bahrain, Mr Talal Yousef Kheraibet, Kuwait, Mr Tarik Al Junaidi, Oman and Mr Robert Collins, Qatar.
About Visa: Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth.
Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
