Market responds well to travel debit cards

FOREIGN exchange providers have noticed a distinct uptake in the usage of travel debit cards, which can be used at Visa ATM’s across the world. Wendy Hillson, regional director Africa for Travelex, said globally Travelex has seen an 80% increase in sales of Cash Passport cards for 2004 and in South Africa the response has been equally strong. She said: “The main appeal of cards like ‘Cash Passport’ is that they offer travellers a secure, safe travel money medium that offers immediate cash availability from ATMs around the clock, in the host country currency, at the prevailing foreign exchange rate. Having an independent travel card which can be used exclusively for this purpose is safer than using a bank card which is often linked to a variety of other accounts.” (Dorine Berger)