Indian tourists vital for Paris tourism: French official

India has emerged as an important market for Paris tourism with around 2-lakh people from the country visiting the French capital for either leisure or business purposes.

"The Indian market is very important for Paris, with around 2 lakh tourists on an average from India visiting Paris for leisure as well as business trips," Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau managing director Paul Roll said here.

There is a now a need to acquaint tourists better with Paris and the numerous facilities and options it offers, he said.

Highlighting Paris' key features, Roll said the city had unique cultural offering, lots of shopping destinations, a vibrant night life and restaurants with less tax. "Besides, moving around the city on a bicycle is a wonderful experience."

Elaborating on this aspect, he said, "bicycles have become a way of life in Paris, with around 20,000 rent-a-bicycles and 1,500 stands located all over the city, available for locals as well as visitors."
      
"One can travel at leisure throughout the picturesque city and can leave the cycle at any stand," Roll told PTI on the sidelines of a conference.