Will more Indian tourists visit France now that UPI is accepted?

Saturday, February 3, 2024

The National Payments Corporation of India made a big announcement that will be beneficial for Indian tourists. The collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lyra, a leading French entity in securing online transactions, has led to the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment system in France, marking a significant milestone with the Eiffel Tower being the inaugural merchant to accept such payments.

This integration facilitates a smooth and effortless payment method for international tourists, particularly enhancing the experience for Indian visitors by allowing them to utilize their UPI apps for online ticket purchases. The convenience of using UPI apps to scan QR codes for payments not only speeds up the transaction process but also introduces a layer of security and ease that was previously unavailable.

This feature is expected to broaden, encompassing various sectors within the French tourism and retail industries, thereby encouraging Indian tourists to engage more freely in booking accommodations, museum visits, and other activities during their stay in France.

The initiative is seen as a significant stride in fostering financial transactions between the two nations, heralding a new era of business opportunities. It also aims to boost the tourism industry by simplifying the payment process for foreign visitors, thus making France an even more attractive destination for the 380 million UPI app users in India.

The relevance of this system is underscored by its widespread use in India, where, as of January alone, over a billion transactions were processed through UPI, highlighting its popularity and potential for international expansion.

This move is expected to greatly benefit the tourism sector by providing a seamless and efficient payment option for travellers, thereby enhancing their travel experience and encouraging further exploration and spending within the tourism and retail markets in France.

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