In a landmark collaboration, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), in conjunction with Lyra, a distinguished leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments, has unveiled the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France, debuting at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This strategic move empowers Indian tourists to streamline their Eiffel Tower experience by effortlessly booking tickets online using the UPI payment mechanism, ensuring a swift, convenient, and hassle-free transaction process.
The official announcement unfolded in Paris during an event orchestrated by the Indian Embassy in France to commemorate the Republic Day of India. The occasion was graced by His Excellency M. Jawed Ashraf, the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, alongside esteemed guests including Prisca Thevenot, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson, France; 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.
This development carries profound significance as Indian tourists consistently rank as the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower. With UPI integration, Indian tourists gain a secure online payment avenue, utilizing their UPI-powered apps to seamlessly complete transactions. By scanning QR codes generated on the merchant website, visitors initiate payments, enhancing the overall convenience of their Eiffel Tower experience.
The expansion of UPI acceptance in France extends beyond the Eiffel Tower, promising a plethora of opportunities for merchants across France and Europe, especially those in the tourism and retail sectors. While the Eiffel Tower spearheads UPI payments, the service is poised to extend swiftly to other merchants, facilitating remote bookings for hotels, museums, and various amenities, simplifying the experience for Indian tourists during their stay in France.
Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, expressed the organization’s vision, stating, “At NIPL, our ambition is to enable the acceptance of NPCI’s payment solutions in international markets, creating a truly interoperable global payment system. This strategic partnership with Lyra marks a significant stride towards this goal, fostering collaboration with financial institutions worldwide to provide consumers with secure cross-border payment solutions.”
Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, reflected on the collaboration’s significance, stating, “It is a great pride to have the trust of the Indian government and NIPL to launch UPI in Europe. This partnership represents a major advancement and the promise of new business opportunities to come for players in the French and European tourism ecosystem.”
The introduction of UPI payments at the Eiffel Tower stands testament to the evolving landscape of global transactions, offering a seamless and secure payment experience for Indian tourists while charting new frontiers for international collaborations in the financial technology domain.
