NPCI International Payments Limited or NIPL and French e-commerce expert Lyra, In a groundbreaking partnership, have introduced the Unified Payments Interface-UPI in France. This joint venture marks a significant milestone, with the iconic Eiffel Tower becoming the first merchant in the country to embrace UPI payments, offering seamless transaction experiences for Indian tourists.
Indian visitors to the Eiffel Tower can now conveniently purchase tickets online using UPI, streamlining the payment process and enhancing convenience during their visit. The announcement was made during a special event hosted by the Indian Embassy in Paris to celebrate Bharat’s Republic Day.
Given that Indian tourists represent the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower, this move holds immense significance. With UPI acceptance, Indian travellers can securely make online transactions by scanning the merchant website’s QR code using their UPI-powered apps, ensuring hassle-free payments.
Beyond enhancing convenience for Indian tourists, the adoption of UPI in France presents new opportunities for merchants in the tourism and retail sectors across Europe. While the Eiffel Tower leads the way, this payment solution will soon be expanded to other merchants, simplifying transactions for Indian visitors booking hotels, museum visits, and other services during their stay in France.
Key figures present at the announcement event included M Jawed Ashraf, the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, along with representatives from Lyra. NIPL CEO Ritesh Shukla expressed the organisation’s commitment to establishing NPCI’s payment solutions globally, while Lyra France Commercial Director Christophe Mariette asserted the partnership’s significance in offering diverse payment methods internationally.
With UPI boasting over 380 million users and setting new transaction records, its adoption in France underscores its status as the world’s most efficient instant payment system. This collaboration reflects the ongoing globalization of digital payment solutions, facilitating seamless transactions and enhancing the overall experience for travellers globally.
