ust recently, Visa International Asia Pacific presented the findings of a research entitled Recent Trends in Spending by Visitors to India (March 2005). The report, based on data supplied by Visa and from official tourism authorities, has been designed to "provide the travel industry, tourism authorities, analysts and media with a comprehensive snapshot of tourist spending using electronic payments in the country". It also highlights the value of electronic payments in stimulating tourist spending.

The India report is part of a regional study in Asia-Pacific covering seven other countries - Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Thailand. Given that Visa has a 60 per cent share globally, as well as in India, in the payment card market, tracking transactions of tourists made through Visa cards may give a fair picture of their spending trends.... more