Lonely Planet, a leading travel information provider and global payment solutions company Visa have created a travel microsite packed with expert information on destinations and the best way to access money abroad.

Travelers thinking about planning their trip can now access essential information through one comprehensive resource which combines Lonely Planet and Visa’s specialist knowledge.

Travelers can access the specially designed microsite at visa.com/lonelyplanet where they will find expert destination advice and information on how to access their cash in 12 destinations around the world: Australia, China, Croatia, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the UAE and Ukraine.

The site is packed with essential travel services including an ATM locator, suggested trip itineraries and a calendar of events for each destination.

Visitors to the site will also be able to ‘Ask the Expert’ questions regarding their trip and receive individual tailored responses from Lonely Planet.

It is envisioned that Visa’s joint initiative with Lonely Planet will help support Egypt’s tourism industry as well as the economy as a whole.

In 2010, around 12.7 million tourists visited Egypt, spending EGP57.9 billion ($9.7 billion), which constituted for over 11 per cent of the country’s GDP last year.

“At Visa, we’re continually seeking opportunities to provide our cardholders with value-added benefits beyond the convenience, security and global acceptance that they’ve come to rely on,” said Tarek Elhousseiny, Visa’s general manager for North and West Africa.

“By working together with Lonely Planet, Visa has launched yet another initiative to help support tourism in Egypt which will benefit all stakeholders: local merchants and banks, those in the tourism industry as well as Visa cardholders. We look forward to exploring new ways to support tourism in Egypt and provide Visa cardholders with great benefits along the way,” he added.

Another planning tool for travelers is available on the website; a free desktop application which includes a countdown clock, local weather and currency information as well as regularly updated links to tailored promotions before departure.

In addition, a series of 12 “Just Landed” destination guides are available to download from the site.

The guides offer travelers essential arrival information from Lonely Planet on each of the specified destinations, including useful phrases and must see sights.

Ross Jackson, head of Cross-Border Business for Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa, said: “Our travel research indicated that seven out of 10 of travelers use the internet as their primary channel for planning their holidays. The challenge though, is finding up-to-date and reliable information. By teaming up with Lonely Planet, we are able to provide trusted, accurate and up to date information for travelers to plan their holiday."

Lonely Planet’s business development manager Addy Cutts added “Travelers often come to Lonely Planet with queries about the best way to access their money abroad and so this partnership allows us to offer our expert travel advice with specific payment detail provided by Visa.”

“The microsite will enable travelers to access Lonely Planet’s specially produced content for 12 destinations accompanied by Visa’s money tips to provide travelers with detailed information on how to access their money abroad securely.” – TradeArabia News Service