Visiting Eiffel Tower? You can now buy tickets via UPI | 5 points

Indians constitute the second-largest group of international visitors to the iconic monument, according to NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).

Published on: Feb 2, 2024, 17:43:43 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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Indians visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris can now buy tickets via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mechanism, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) announced on Friday.

“With this development, Indian tourists can make secure online transactions by simply using their UPI powered apps to scan QR code generated on the merchant website and initiate a payment. The acceptance of UPI in France opens up numerous opportunities for merchants across France and Europe operating in the tourism and retail sectors,” NIPL said in its statement.

Here are five key points you must know:

(1.) For the project, NIPL has tied up with Lyra, a French leader in e-commerce and proximity payments. Incorporated in April 2020, NIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary and the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-backed operator of retail payments and settlement systems in the country.

(2.) Eiffel Tower is the first site in Europe, and France the first country on the continent, that will accept UPI payments. Also, the service will be extended to other tourism and retail merchants in the European nation.

(3.) According to the NIPL press release, Indians constitute the second-largest group of international visitors to Eiffel Tower, one of the world's most-visited monuments.

(4.) India reached an agreement to use the flagship instant payment system in France in July last year, with prime minister Narendra Modi making the announcement during his state visit. On that same visit, PM Modi also said that UPI payments in France will begin with Eiffel Tower, and transactions will be in Rupee.

(5.) Unified Payments Interface has more than 380 million (38 crore) users in India, as per NIPL. Last month alone, as many as 12.2 billion (1220 crore) transactions were made through the facility.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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