Priyanka Saxena Ray
Indian tourist footfalls & growth
In 2024, an estimated 625330 Indians visited France (source Oxford Economics) indicating a growth of 14% over 2023 arrivals. The number of Indian visitors to France has been steadily rising over the last few years and we are confident that we will achieve our pre-pandemic figures of 7,00,000 Indian visitors to France (estimate).
Key promotional strategies
Our strategy includes B2B and B2C collaborations. As part of our annual B2B initiatives, we organise our annual showcase, “Explore France” that is an annual initiative and gathers around 50 key French and Indian stakeholders at an offsite for two days of one-on-one meetings and networking sessions. This interaction is crucial to our strategy of increasing footfalls from India to France. In addition, our e-learning programme France Connoisseur has also seen a great response from the Indian travel trade with more than 100 certified agents. Last year, we organised the 6th edition of the coveted Ambassador’s Awards – that recognises and rewards the contribution of travel agents and the media in the showcase of France as a travel destination through itineraries and articles. To connect with potential travellers, we create an annual supplement that is circulated with one edition of a leading travel magazine.
Adapting to Indian demands for offbeat and sustainable travel
France is actively promoting sustainable tourism, aiming to become a global benchmark by 2030. To this effect, the country is showcasing eco-friendly lodges, highlighting sustainable gastronomy by offering locally produced delicacies, embracing the farm to fork movement. More than 190 French accommodations boast the EU Ecolabel, while 640 proudly wear the Green Key initiative badge, setting the bar high for responsible travel. In the majestic mountains, initiatives such as the Flocon Vert (‘Green Snowflake’) label have been launched, which guarantees the sustainable commitment of alpine tourist destinations and is awarded to candidate resorts following a demanding audit.
New visa measures / air connections
In terms of air connectivity, IndiGo has recently signed a MOU with Air-France KLM and a few other European and North American carriers to enhance connectivity between India, North America and Europe. Additionally, we will continue to work in close collaboration with the trade and media in 2025.
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