India potential market for France

Clémentine Baju, Director, Products and Services, Société D’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (Sete), says India is a potential travel destination for France and they have a strong commitment to the Indian market and optimistic about its future.

TT Bureau

France sees a potential market in India for travel business. “India is a potential travel destination for the French tourism business, and the people of India have a strong desire to travel. Individual tourism is expanding quickly, and Indians are continuously looking for fresh, creative, and distinctive travel experiences. We have a strong commitment to the Indian market and are optimistic about its future,” said Clémentine Baju, Director, Products and Services, Société D’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (Sete).

Promoting Eiffel Tower

Indians made about 3 per cent of the foreign visitors to the Eiffel Tower prior to the pandemic. “In order to better welcome them (Indians) at the Eiffel Tower, we modified our culinary menu to include vegetarian alternatives in our restaurants Madame Brasserie and Le Jules Verne, as well as Indian catering in the Gustave Eiffel room, a flexible space on the first floor, which is dedicated to B2B events. We are also building up VIP-only excursions for small groups of people, as well as individual guided tours,” she said.

Strategy to get repeat visitors

Baju said, “Overall our goal is to upgrade the service offered on the monument. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world, and probably the most iconic. Exploring the tower is a delight for the senses, from discovering the historic gardens to the breathtaking view over Paris from each floor.”  She added, “As a symbol of French excellence, the tower is a gastronomic destination. On the first floor of the tower, in addition to the renowned Jules Verne operated by Chef Frédéric Anton, we recently inaugurated a brand-new eatery called Madame Brasserie. This brand-new, must-visit Parisian landmark is managed by chef Thierry Marx. Visitors can eat exquisite bistro fare prepared there using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients from French regional producers. In a similar vein, we want the Eiffel Tower to develop into a legitimate shopping destination by creating our own brand so that we can provide our visitors with high-quality products on the tower’s official boutiques and co-brandings with French brands.”