Eiffel Tower

1. Indian tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower can now use UPI for ticket purchases.
2. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra collaborated on this initiative.
3. The announcement was made during an event organized by the Indian Embassy in France.

Paris, Feb 03: Indian tourists visiting Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower can now conveniently book their tickets using India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI), thanks to a strategic collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a French leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments.

The announcement of the acceptance of the UPI payment mechanism in France, starting with the Eiffel Tower, was made during an event organized by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate India’s Republic Day.

The initiative aims to streamline the ticket booking process for Indian tourists, providing them with a quick, easy, and hassle-free payment experience.

Key Points:

  1. Partnership and Implementation:
    • NIPL, in collaboration with Lyra, has introduced the acceptance of UPI payments in France, commencing with the Eiffel Tower.
    • The announcement was made at a special event in Paris, attended by notable figures including Alain Lacour, President of the Lyra Group, Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, and Patrick Branco Ruivo, CEO of Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.
  2. Significance for Indian Tourists:
    • Indian tourists, who rank as the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower, can now use their UPI-powered apps to securely book their visits online.
    • This move enhances the payment options for Indian tourists and streamlines their experience while visiting the iconic monument.
  3. Impact on Tourism and Retail Sectors:
    • The acceptance of UPI payments in France is not limited to the Eiffel Tower; it will soon extend to other merchants in the tourism and retail sectors.
    • This development opens up opportunities for merchants across France and Europe, providing a seamless payment option for Indian tourists.
  4. Future Possibilities:
    • The introduction of UPI payments in France is a significant step toward creating an interoperable global payment system.
    • The collaboration between NIPL and Lyra aims to actively engage with financial institutions worldwide, establishing partnerships to offer consumers convenient and secure cross-border payment solutions.
  5. Quotes from Key Figures:
    • Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, expressed the ambition to enable acceptance of NPCI’s payment solutions globally and create a truly interoperable global payment system.
    • Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, emphasized the strength of their collaboration with India and the promise of new business opportunities for the French and European tourism ecosystem.
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This initiative not only enhances the experience for Indian tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower but also paves the way for future collaborations and advancements in cross-border payment solutions.

As the first merchant to offer UPI payments in France, the Eiffel Tower sets the stage for a more seamless and secure transaction experience for international visitors.