Visa unveils #TravelWithVisa HK initiative to connect with APAC travellers

Visa has unveiled #TravelWithVisa in Hong Kong, an ongoing regional initiative designed to connect travellers with major destinations in Asia Pacific. 

The campaign has leveraged its Visa International Travel (VISIT) database, which uses historical spending data from Visa cards and external sources to predict current traveller movements. According to this data, APAC’s tourism economy experienced a 26% increase in cross-border trips originating within the region in 2024, outpacing the global growth rate of 12%. With a multi-phased approach, the initiative aims to enrich travel experiences, boost travel spending, and contribute to APAC’s tourism economy. 

According to the VISIT database, in 2024, seven of the top 10 fastest-growing travel destinations globally, in terms of arrivals, are located in APAC, including Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. This highlights APAC's pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism, according to the release. 

Leveraging this as the first phase of the #TravelWithVisa initiative, Visa has partnered with five international airlines, including Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Ethiopian Airlines, EVA AIR, and Singapore Airlines, to offer Hong Kong and Macau outbound travellers rewarding flight experiences with premium benefits. By collaborating with major banks, the initiative will also introduce new offerings and features through Visa travel card programmes to further enrich every traveller’s journey.

In the next phase, #TravelWithVisa seeks to facilitate seamless, safe and enjoyable payment experiences while transforming the way people travel and explore the world. It will feature Visa’s intercity smart mobility solutions designed to enable a more efficient door-to-door travel journey, along with merchant offers that will curate new travel experiences and exclusive access to mega events across APAC for Visa cardholders. 

On the other hand, Visa is committed to elevating travel experiences across APAC and the world through a series of major initiatives, according to the release. For example, it sponsored the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA Awards), the Red Bull F1 teams and The FIFA World Cup, aiming to bring unique entertainment to travellers.

To facilitate efficient and convenient journeys for urban commuters, Visa has launched its contactless payment solution, "Tap to ride", for transit operators in key cities across Asia, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Maldives, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Stephen Karpin, regional president, Asia Pacific, Visa, said, “Travel is a powerful catalyst for fostering global connections, bridging cultures, and driving economic prosperity. This is at the heart of our #TravelWithVisa initiative, which is designed to unlock transformative growth opportunities across Asia Pacific. By collaborating with a network of partners and leveraging our robust payment solutions, we are delivering exceptional value and seamless travel experiences to consumers.”

“We also want to express our appreciation to the tourism offices for their support of our vision. Together, we are contributing to the tourism ecosystem and the economic development of the region,” Karpin added. 

Shirley Yu, group general manager, Greater China, Visa, said, “As one of Asia Pacific’s busiest aviation hubs, Hong Kong serves as an important travel gateway connecting the Greater China region and other parts of the world. Its accessibility, vitality and popularity as a destination have made it a constant focal point for travellers from around the world; hence, making it an ideal launchpad for the #TravelWithVisa initiative.”

“Through Visa’s extensive network, strategic partnerships and payment innovation, we will continue to unlock new opportunities for businesses of all types and sizes, not just in Hong Kong but across the region,” Yu added. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Visa for more information. 

Don’t miss: Visa redefines ‘Everywhere you want to be’ for the next generation

Back in March, Visa launched a brand campaign that reimagined its iconic tagline, Everywhere you want to be, for a new generation. Called Typewriter, the film aimed to embody Visa's philosophy that progress is more than just the destination. 

The one-minute film follows the story of a young woman as she uses each Visa transaction to unlock her potential. The woman stumbles upon a typewriter in a shop window and begins exploring possible career paths based on her Visa purchases, whether it is becoming a screenwriter, a chef, an entrepreneur, or a travel writer. After a quick showcase of the endless possibilities, the woman then purchases the typewriter with her Visa card.

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