I was horrified to discover this week that Computicket would not accept my Barclaycard credit card (VISA linked) to book theatre tickets over the phone. I had to use a local credit card - or call at a Computicket outlet with my credit card and ID for "verification".

Exactly what security risk my Barclaycard carries over a local card could not be explained by the supervisor at Computicket.

My point is - what about foreign tourists? Can they not use Computicket's book by phone service at all? And what happens if they do go to a Computicket office with a foreign passport?

Incidentally, the Hilton Festival were quite happy to book tickets on a Barclaycard, as are Mweb for internet purchases.

Is this short sighted policy helping our tourist industry?

Salaamu, Lylie Musgrave.

Kibao Communications. Phone 027 31 2615867; fax 027 31 261 6232, mobile 072 297 0974 or email: kibao@iafrica.com