UPI Payments Now Accepted for Eiffel Tower Visits

Indian tourists visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris can now buy tickets via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mechanism, a payment service that simplifies the transaction process. This is the result of a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a leading French expert in e-commerce and proximity payments.

What is UPI and how does it work?

UPI is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that enables multiple bank accounts to be accessed from a single mobile application. UPI allows users to transfer money, pay bills, and make online purchases by using a virtual payment address (VPA) or scanning a QR code.

How to book tickets for the Eiffel Tower using UPI?

To book tickets for the Eiffel Tower using UPI, Indian tourists need to follow these simple steps:

• Visit the official website of the Eiffel Tower (https://www.toureiffel.paris/en)
• Select the date and time of the visit and the number of tickets
• Choose UPI as the payment option and enter the VPA or scan the QR code generated on the website
• Confirm the payment on the UPI app
• Receive the confirmation email with the e-tickets

Why is this partnership important?

This partnership marks a milestone, with the Eiffel Tower becoming the first merchant in France to accept UPI payments. Indian tourists constitute the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower, with more than 600,000 visitors in 2023. With this development, they can make secure online transactions by using their UPI-powered apps, without worrying about currency conversion or card fees.

The acceptance of UPI in France not only offers Indian tourists a convenient payment option but also opens up new opportunities for merchants in the tourism and retail sectors across France and Europe. While the Eiffel Tower is the first to adopt UPI payments in France, this service will soon be expanded to other merchants in the tourism and retail industry. This will make it much simpler for Indian tourists to remotely book hotels, museum visits, and other services for their stay in France.

The announcement was made during an event in Paris hosted by the Indian Embassy to celebrate the Republic Day of India on January 26, 2024. The event was attended by M Jawed Ashraf, the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, and representatives from NIPL, Lyra, and Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.

“At NIPL, our goal is to make NPCI’s payment solutions widely accepted in international markets and create a globally interoperable payment system. This partnership with Lyra is a significant step towards achieving this ambition,” said Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL.

“We are proud to have the trust of the Indian government and NIPL to launch UPI in Europe. This partnership not only signifies our strong collaboration with India but also demonstrates our commitment to offering a variety of payment methods globally. For players in the French and European tourism ecosystem, this partnership brings forth new business opportunities,” said Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France.

What are the benefits of UPI for Indian tourists?

UPI offers several benefits for Indian tourists who want to visit the Eiffel Tower or other attractions in France:

• Convenience: UPI allows users to make payments from any bank account linked to their mobile number, without having to enter card details or OTPs.
• Security: UPI transactions are encrypted and authenticated by two-factor authentication, ensuring that no unauthorized transactions can take place.
• Cost-effectiveness: UPI transactions are free of charge for users, unlike card transactions that may incur currency conversion or transaction fees.
• Speed: UPI transactions are instant and real-time, unlike card transactions that may take some time to process.

UPI payments are now accepted for Eiffel Tower visits, making it easier for Indian tourists to book tickets online using their mobile phones. This is a result of a partnership between NIPL and Lyra, which aims to make NPCI’s payment solutions widely accepted in international markets. This partnership also opens up new opportunities for merchants in the tourism and retail sectors across France and Europe, who can cater to the growing demand from Indian tourists.