STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 28, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO -- Forty-three percent of international travelers surveyed by Audits and Surveys Worldwide for Visa International can envision a future without cash, while 16 percent believe cash is already obsolete.
Of the nine nationalities surveyed, Brazilians were most likely to believe we are moving to a cashless society (63 percent), followed by Canadians (52 percent), the British (43 percent), Germans (43 percent) and Japanese (43 percent).
Less optimistic about being able to give up their coins and bills were Australians (22 percent), Americans (27 percent), Egyptians (39 percent) and citizens of the United Arab Emirates (39 percent).
More than 700 globetrotters polled said they travel today with less than an average US$100 dollars in their pockets because payment cards are more convenient (67 percent), safer (67 percent) and easier to replace if stolen (64 percent) than cash or checks.
According to the poll, Australians and Americans are most confident about carrying less cash and feel that US$80 to US$100 is sufficient. Travelers from Brazil, Japan and the Middle East want a little more in the wallet and believe that US$200-300 is adequate.
The payment choices of international travelers clearly indicate that cash is out and plastic is in. Eighty percent of those surveyed use payment cards when paying for hotel accommodations, 75 percent when buying airline tickets, 71 percent for car rentals, 58 percent for restaurant meals and 63 percent for shopping.
