RIVERWOODS, Ill. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 20, 2015--
Discover Financial Services, which operates the Discover Global Network
including Discover Network, Diners Club International, PULSE and
affiliated networks, and the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the
trade association for hospitality and tourism organizations in the UK,
announced an agreement in which Discover Financial Services will provide
tourism insights, strategic guidance and industry support to the entire
BHA membership.
As part of the agreement with the BHA, Discover Financial Services will
serve as a thought leader on various topics around hospitality and UK
travel trends by leveraging insights across the Discover Global Network.
They will share know-how, intelligence and expertise on the market, as
well as technological advancements and any industry developments with
all BHA members and the wider hospitality community.
“This agreement is an example of how our international expansion is
focused on building relationships with key organizations such as the
BHA, which benefits our cardholders travelling and living around the
globe,” said Gerry Wagner, vice president, Discover Financial Services.
“Working with the BHA will also help drive more acceptance for millions
of cards that are issued on our network and keep us top of mind with
relevant merchants in this sector.”
Additionally, Discover will be a sponsor of the 2015 BHA Hospitality &
Tourism Summit, and a representative is slated to speak with attendees
regarding the payments industry and how it relates to hospitality and
tourism. Together, both organizations will also facilitate events
providing BHA members with a platform to learn, gather insights and
network.
“We’re delighted to have Discover Financial Services as a partner.
Diners Club, a part of Discover Global Network, has a 50-year heritage
and is a pioneer in its field, offering the first independent credit
card for the travel industry,” said Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the
BHA. “Fast forward 50 years, Diners Club remains pivotal for
well-travelled individuals from around the globe and is a well-respected
member of the hospitality community.”
Discover Global Network is the third largest payments network in the
world and the largest merchant acceptance network in
Asia-Pacific, with more than 30 million merchant acceptance locations
and 1 million ATM and cash access locations across 185 countries and
territories. Discover Global Network includes Discover, Diners Club
International, PULSE and affiliated networks.
About The British Hospitality Association (BHA)
The BHA represents over 40,000 hotels, serviced apartments, clubs,
restaurants, food service, attractions and leisure companies. As the
‘hub’ for Hospitality and Tourism, the BHA’s thought leadership, market
know-how, intelligence and expertise, deliver a powerful voice to
government, as well as reliable advice, valuable connections and
strategic support to business. Our purpose is to work with government to
ensure the right business environment in which Hospitality and Tourism
can thrive. Our key measure of success is the creation of 300,000 new
Hospitality and Tourism jobs in the UK by 2020.
Find out more @BHAtweets
and www.bha.org.uk
About Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private
student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings
accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its
direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions
of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's
leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global
payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and
territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
About Diners Club International Ltd.
Diners Club International is owned by Discover Financial Services
(NYSE:DFS), a direct banking and payment services company with one of
the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Established in
1950, Diners Club International became the first multi-purpose charge
card in the world, launching a financial revolution in how consumers and
companies pay for products and services. Today, Diners Club is a
globally-recognized brand serving the payment needs of select and
affluent consumers, offering access to more than 550 airport lounges
worldwide, and providing corporations and small business owners with a
complete array of expense management solutions. With acceptance in more
than 185 countries and territories, millions of merchant locations and
access to more than 1 million cash access locations and ATMs, Diners
Club, as a part of the Discover Global Network, is uniquely qualified to
serve its cardmembers all over the world. For more information, visit www.dinersclub.com.
Source: Discover Financial Services
Discover/Diners Club International
Abbe Kalina, 224-405-5175
abbekalina@discover.com
or
British
Hospitality Association
Julia Svetlosakova, + 44 (0) 207 404
7744
julia@bha.org.uk