Tag Archives: Paris

Air India appoints Asian Aviation as GSA in Greece

Air India has appointed Asian Aviation as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Greece.

Asian Aviation will provide a full range of sales and ticketing services to help widen Air India’s presence in Greece, while supporting the airline’s continuing growth and expansion in Europe.

The partnership will help travellers in Greece to enjoy more convenient access to Air India’s international network via key transit points in Europe and the Middle East, facilitating smooth connections between flights operated by Air India’s partner airlines and Air India’s non-stop flights to India and beyond.

Air India currently operates non-stop flights from nine points in seven countries in Europe, namely Amsterdam, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Milan, Paris, and Vienna to major Indian cities, Delhi and Mumbai. Air India’s robust and growing route network enables travellers from Europe to take convenient, onward connections from Delhi and Mumbai to cities across India as well as to Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.

Asian Aviation carries extensive knowledge and rich experience in the Greek aviation landscape as the GSA of some of the world’s leading airlines.

A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India offers seamless connectivity and facilities to passengers all over the world.

 

Atout France organises 5th edition of its offsite B2B showcase, Explore France in Kochi

Atout France-France Tourism Development Agency organised the 5th edition of its flagship B2B event, Explore France in Kochi last week. The event provided a perfect platform in building successful synergies between French tourism partners and the travel trade fraternity pan India. Over 2 days of interactive exchanges, an approximate of 1500 scheduled meetings took place between buyers and 33 exhibitors reinforcing India’s potential as a source market for destination France.

The French delegation comprised partners who have maintained a steady presence on the market and new entrants interested to make a foray into the market. This year also marks 20 years of Atout France’s presence in India.

On October 11, “An Evening Under the Stars” was organised in association with La Vallée Village – member of the Bicester collection in the presence of Lise Talbot Barré, Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, Didier Talpain, Consul General of France in Kolkata and Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Consul General of France in Mumbai.

On the 12th, an interactive session on visas was organised by the Consulate General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai for all participants. The session provided many useful insights on visa submissions and other relevant information.

Sheetal Munshaw – Director Atout France India, shared her thoughts, “We’ve had a very satisfying turnout for this edition of our showcase. Both our partners and agents displayed strong levels of motivation and a keen interest in the showcase of destination France to the discerning Indian traveller. India is within the top 15 source markets for France and happy to announce that arrival figures for the first half of the year (mid-June) are at an approximate of 4, 99,000. With the Rugby World Cup underway and the Olympic and Paralympic Games slated to take place in Paris next year, I believe that the interactions between our partners and agents are instrumental to establishing France’s strategic positioning as a preferred tourist destination for this year and the next”.

 

Star Alliance Opens New Lounge at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport

Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, announced it has opened its second lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. It will welcome First and Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold status customers on member airline flights departing from gates 10 to 38 in Terminal 1. Eligible United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members may also access the lounge.

The new lounge is located airside after immigration and security controls in the newest part of the terminal. The sprawling space can accommodate over 300 guests across approximately 1,300 square meters. It has been designed by the leading architecture firm, Gensler, which also designed the award-winning Star Alliance Los Angeles airport lounge in 2013.

Commenting on this, Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO, Star Alliance, said, “Star Alliance stands for elevating the experience of its member airline passengers, and airport lounges play a vital role. We’re very proud to present our new Paris lounge, which is not only a delight to experience but also thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of the modern frequent traveller.”

Standout features include a Welcome Bar offering a range of beverages, an immersive Wine Bar featuring master wine maker Gerard Bertrand and their wines from the South of France, and a Tea Salon offering an assortment from around the world. For business travellers who prefer a quieter space, there are private work cabins and secluded nooks throughout the lounge.

“Our new Paris lounge expands the count of Star Alliance branded lounges to seven worldwide and takes the airport lounge experience to new heights,” said Christian Draeger, Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience. “Whether it is the design, décor or the F&B experience, we have carefully curated the lounge for a multi-sensorial experience for guests departing from the dazzling city of Paris.”

There are two Star Alliance lounges operating in Terminal 1 now. The first lounge, refurbished in 2019 and located prior to security on level 10, will now serve passengers departing on intra-Schengen flights from gates 50 to 78, as well as guests from various lounge access programs departing from all gates.

At present, 20 Star Alliance member carriers operate from Paris – CDG, offering 464 weekly departures to 34 destinations in 22 countries.

‘The Belgium Consulate in Mumbai receives 20 visa applications per hour’

The Indian travellers’ interest to visit Belgium has been increasing day by day as the country has rich history, architecture, gastronomy, and culture. However, the destination is lesser- known to Indians when compared with other European cities, said Frank Geerkens, Consul General the Kingdom of Belgium in Mumbai, while speaking to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the Visit Brussels event.

“Belgium is a very good destination but lesser known to India unlike Paris, London. But when people visit our country they are enchanted,” said Geerkens.

Talking about visas, he said that the Belgium Consulate Office in Mumbai receives 20 visa applications per hour. Geerkens also appealed to people to follow the proper procedure while applying for the visa. “Travellers should apply with valid documents,” he exhorted. “After Covid restriction was lifted, we observed a surge in travel, and everyone wanted to travel at the same time,” he explained. Geerkens also said that people should apply for a visa at least 15 days before travelling.

Talking about relations between India and Belgium, he said that both the countries enjoy a warm and cordial relation. “There is a great interest from Belgium people, companies and universities towards India. Both sides are keen to engage,” Geerkens pointed out. According to him, “Visit Brussels event will further consolidate the engagement between the two countries. “We have to make extra efforts to promote Belgium here in India,” admitted Geerkens.

“We are very impressed that India made it to the moon; please make it to Belgium too,” said Geerkens.

Meanwhile, Pieter Callebaut, International Business Developer, Visit Brussels, termed India as a potential market, and wants quality tourism from this market. “As of now the business from the India market is not satisfactory. However, we have invested a lot in this market (India) as it offers huge scope,” pointed out Callebaut.

U.S. remains most popular destination for retail tourism: WTTC

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the U.S. remains the preferred choice for shopping holiday-makers, as revealed at the recently concluded Virtuoso Travel Week, in Las Vegas.

“Retail tourism is a thriving market segment of the Travel & Tourism sector in the U.S.”, said Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, during her participation at the event.

The joint research collaboration between WTTC and the Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in collaboration with The Bicester Collection, will be published on 7th September during an event taking place at La Roca Village, part of The Bicester Collection, in Barcelona, Spain.

According to the report, in 2019, retail tourism was worth USD 178.2 billion, equivalent to 6% of the Travel & Tourism sector, and can represent more than 15% in some destinations.

Historically, retail tourism has been overlooked by researchers; resulting in limited data for travel providers to plan and invest strategically.

The latest report by WTTC seeks to correct that, providing valuable insights into people’s shopping habits when traveling, such as out-of-town retail destinations; the latest trends in retail tourism, such as sustainable retail, and the immense potential it holds for destinations and businesses.

The latest data revealed by the international body names the U.S. as the largest contributor of retail tourism to GDP in 2019 (US$34.7 billion).

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. retained its leading position in 2020 with US$17.5 billion and continued to grow in 2021, contributing USD 23.9 billion to the country’s economy through retail tourism.

Simpson said: “For millions around the world, shopping is one of life’s great pleasures. The pandemic impacted both travel and retail industries severely, but as the world reopens, this report shows how the retail experience can become a journey too.

“Our latest findings on the U.S. reinforce its allure as a shopping mecca, highlighting the vital role that retail tourism plays in the country’s Travel & Tourism sector.”

Governments that incentivise this retail segment with tax-free shopping have seen tourism revenues boom. Countries like the UK that scrapped tax-free shopping have seen visitors move to other countries like France or Italy, depriving the UK economy of critical export revenues.

In Paris, retailers have thrived since France set a three-day VAT rebate window for purchases exceeding EUR 100 in 2019, with The Bicester Collection witnessing a dramatic spike in Paris visits, surpassing London as the UK phased out its VAT refund scheme.

The upcoming WTTC report seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of retail tourism, covering retail habits, emerging trends, and the challenges and opportunities that the sector faces.

By incorporating insights from sector experts, academics, and practitioners, the report offers a holistic perspective on this vital market segment.

This pioneering research will also include recommendations for both the public and private sectors, aiming to guide destinations in attracting new visitors, incentivizing retail tourism, and fostering sustainable growth in this sector.

 

Indian tourists can now use UPI to make Rupee payments in France

In a landmark deal, India and France have agreed to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the European nation. This comes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Paris.

Modi, from atop the Eiffel Tower, said that Indian tourists will soon be able to make Rupee payments using UPI. He was addressing the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre on an island in River Seine.

“In France, an agreement has been made for the use of India’s UPI…It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, in the Eiffel Tower,” PM Modi said.

The National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI) that offers the UPI services had signed an MoU with France’s secure online payment system, Lyra, in 2022.

Modi also confirmed that France has decided to grant long-term five year visas for students pursuing a masters degree in France.