hawaii tourism

JCB Launches Discover Aloha Hawaii Project With Support of Hawaii Tourism Japan: Designed to Boost Hawaii Tourist Economy

JCB, the only Asia-based international payment brand, and its international subsidiary JCB International under the support of Hawaii Tourism Japan, today announced the launch of the JCB Discover Aloha Hawaii Project. The project will run from 1 April 2006 until 31 March 2007.

“We are confident that this project will contribute to the economy of Hawaii by attracting more tourists to visit the Islands and encouraging them to enjoy shopping more while they are here,” said Mr. Eiji Matsushita, general manager, International Sales Promotion Dept. at JCB in Tokyo.

JCB, with 56 million cardmembers and over 13 million merchants worldwide, will take full advantage of its marketing expertise to raise awareness of Hawaii as an attractive destination through a wide range of customer channels. With the support of Hawaii Tourism Japan, the JCB Discover Aloha Project is anticipated to boost the Hawaii tourist industry by bringing more Japanese tourists to Hawaii and offering incentives to motivate increased spending once they arrive.

JCB has joined with a number of other major corporations in Japan and with local businesses and shopping mall associations in Hawaii for this project, which takes advantage of all these alliance member customer channels to promote the Hawaii tourist market. Specific promotional strategies include:

***The JCB Discover Aloha Campaign

Under the same “Discover Aloha” theme as the Hawaii Tourism Japan, the JCB Discover Aloha Campaign gives visitors using the JCB card in Hawaii a chance to win a grand prize of a free return trip to the Islands and many other attractive prizes provided by alliance partners. This campaign is designed to motivate increased tourist spending in Hawaii.

***The JCB Shopping & Dining Passport, Hawaii Special Edition

This pocket-sized brochure is packed with useful information for visitors to Hawaii, and lists 124 stores, restaurants and other merchants giving JCB cardmembers special discounts and other premiums. The Special Edition features campaign information and advertisements for alliance members.

***Waikiki Trolley Free Ride

During the JCB Discover Aloha Campaign period, JCB cardmembers can ride selected Waikiki Trolley routes for free when showing the JCB card. In addition to the JCB Discover Aloha Hawaii Project, JCB has decided to make a donation every year to an environmental protection organization to protect beautiful natural resources of Hawaii. In cooperation with alliance partners in Japan and Hawaii, and with the support of Hawaii Tourism Japan, the JCB Discover Aloha Hawaii Project is expected to increase JCB card spending in Hawaii by $45 million over the previous year. JCB is planning on-going implementation of similar projects with wider participation in order to continue benefiting the Hawaii tourist economy as well as visitors to Hawaii over the long-term.

About JCB

JCB is an international credit card brand and the largest card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network includes 13 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 20 countries and territories, with 56 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 320 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. JCB's corporate philosophy of "Service from the heart", a commitment to responsive and high-quality service, continues to guide it as it creates the future together with its customers, merchants and partners. For further information, please visit the JCB Co. Ltd. home page at: www.jcb-global.com/english or www.jcbcorporate.com/english .

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