HONG KONG, March 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong Disneyland announced here Wednesday that Visa will be the official card of the theme park, which is due to open in September.

    Visa International and Hong Kong Disneyland said they will forman alliance, an extension of the existing global alliance between Disney and Visa, which is commenced in 2002.

    Under the alliance, the two parts will launch integrated marketing arrangement for Hong Kong Disneyland in the Asia Pacificregion and provide joint marketing opportunities that will bring unique benefits to consumers, merchants and Visa's member financial institutions throughout the region.

    "Our vision, to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a family vacation destination will be strengthened by working closely with Visa International in the Asia Pacific Region," said Don Robinson,managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland group.

    Disneyland hoped that the alliance will make the theme park a must-see attraction for millions of Visa cardholders in the region.

    Hong Kong Disneyland, the first Disney theme park in China, is expected to attract 5.6 million visitors in the first years and tocreate 18,000 new jobs at opening.

    Visa is the world's leading payment brand, generating more than3 trillion US dollars in annual card sales volumes. In Asia Pacific, there are currently 238 million Visa cards, and 7.3 million in Hong Kong. Enditem