The French embassy and consulate has taken various initiatives, such as 'Chalo Paris', to woo Indian visitors, other than simplifying the visa process, whereby tourist and business visas are issued in two working days. The French government has also introduced a custom-made official travel app for Indian tourists and it is available for download on the Google Play Store.
Last month's terror attack on a French magazine house has not taken the least bit away from the Parisian charm for Mumbaikars, whose visits to France are growing by the day. In fact, Mumbaikars have emerged as the single-largest group in the country seeking French visa. The number of visitors from the city increased 29% in the last two years, trumping the Capital, which saw a rise of 22% in visas to France.
Moreover, the number of visas delivered by French consulates in India jumped 35% in 2014 from 2013, with a total of 87,972 visas issued from January to November last year.
To make the country more amicable to Indian tourists, the government there has decided to drastically ease visa procedures. Indians are now exempt from obtaining a visa to travel to the French Island of Reunion for stays up to 15 days: they get a free visa on arrival (VoA) at the airport. Also, as per the new simplified rules, no proof of hotel reservation is required for the visa application.
The French embassy and consulate has taken various initiatives, such as 'Chalo Paris', to woo Indian visitors, other than simplifying the visa process, whereby tourist and business visas are issued in two working days. The French government has also introduced a custom-made official travel app for Indian tourists and it is available for download on the Google Play Store.
François Richier, French ambassador to India, said, "These new measures show that once again, France is committed to strengthening the connectivity between France and India at all levels. Removing barriers and hurdles is our core objective".
Previously, visa applicants had to go to a specific visa application centre depending on their area of residence. Now any centre in the country can be approached. In addition to the six existing ones, eight new ones were inaugurated in Pune, Goa, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad and Jaipur. Visas are delivered within 72 hours in these new centres.
M Yves Perrin, consul general of France in Mumbai, said, "The Consulate General of France in Mumbai processes on an average 250 visa applications a day. There are many types of visa applications such as tourist, long stay, short stay, student and business. No doubt that there has been a positive effect of the visa delivery within 48 hours. The Consulate has worked hard to make the process simpler and smoother."
Dr Mahendra Singh Churiyana, a globetrotter and tourism expert, said, "The condition of compulsory confirmed hotel booking before applying France visa was a biggest hurdle for seeking visa. Removal of this condition is a welcome move.
Pankaj Srivastava, Air India commercial director, said, "Air India's passenger load to France jumped 36% from 2012-13 to 2013-14. The demand for air travel to France is consistent and improving rapidly. The growth of tourists is clearly visible from AI's passenger figures."
No of visas issued for France in:
Mumbai
January to December 2013: 15,600
January to December 2014: 22,000
Delhi
January to December 2013: 21,000
January to December 2014: 27,000
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}