Introduction:
- In a groundbreaking move, Indian tourists visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris can now conveniently purchase tickets using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), facilitated by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).
- This initiative not only enhances the convenience of online transactions for Indian travelers but also offers them a significant opportunity for seamless travel experiences. Moreover, it opens avenues for merchants in France and Europe, particularly in the tourism and retail sectors.
Key Points to Note:
- Collaboration with Lyra: NIPL has partnered with Lyra, a prominent player in e-commerce and proximity payments in France, for this innovative initiative. Established in April 2020, NIPL is a fully-owned subsidiary and the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), supported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Eiffel Tower Leading the Way: The Eiffel Tower becomes the first landmark in Europe to accept UPI payments, marking France as the first-ever country on the continent to adopt this digital payment mechanism. This successful implementation at the iconic landmark sets the stage for extending UPI services to various other tourism and retail merchants across France.
- Significance of Indian Visitors: According to NIPL, Indians constitute the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower, highlighting the importance of catering to the needs and preferences of this substantial tourist demographic.
- UPI Agreement and Prime Minister’s Announcement: The agreement to integrate UPI payments in France was established in July of the previous year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the groundbreaking initiative during his official visit. PM Modi emphasized the significance of UPI payments and announced its launch in France starting from the Eiffel Tower, with transactions conducted in Indian rupees.
- Impressive User Base of UPI: According to NIPL’s recent statistics, the Unified Payments Interface boasts an extensive user base, surpassing 380 million users in India. In the previous month alone, over 12.2 billion transactions were facilitated through this robust and widely embraced payment platform.
Conclusion:
- The introduction of UPI payments at the Eiffel Tower represents a significant step towards enhancing digital payment solutions for Indian tourists abroad. It not only simplifies the ticket purchasing process but also signifies the growing global recognition of India’s digital payment ecosystem. As UPI continues to gain traction internationally, it is poised to revolutionize payment experiences for travelers worldwide.
