From the TFL (Transport for London) website:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/press-cent...le.asp?id=1221

New Oyster deal boosts London tourism

31 August 2006

THE Mayor of London launched a new deal on Tuesday, enabling international visitors to buy Oyster cards before they arrive in the capital.

A new partnership between Transport for London and VisitBritain means VisitBritain will be the first organisation to sell Oyster cards through its online shops at
www.visitbritaindirect.com.

Launched in 2003, there are now more than six million Oyster cards in circulation.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: ‘Oyster is already a proven success with Londoners and this new deal will make it easier for millions of overseas visitors to get around London.

'The best way for visitors to travel around the capital is usually by public transport so this deal will provide simpler, cheaper and quicker journeys.’

Initially the cards will go on sale in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Portugal and the USA followed bythe rest of VisitBritain’s online shops by March 2007.