7th annual "Atout France 2009" roadshow gets underway

The seventh annual ''Atout France'', French Connection 2009 roadshow, organised by the French Tourism Development Agency and travel agency Kuoni got underway here today.

The five-day roadshow, being held in Delhi also, has 23 exhibitors, including eight from Paris showcasing everything the country has to offer from tourist spots, landmarks, travel information and hospitality partners.

''France welcomed 80 million tourists last year, including 2,20,000 visitors from India. We are seeing a 10-15 per cent growth in volumes as well as length of stays from two-four bednights to four-six bednights, especially from FIT (Free Independent Traveller) clientele,'' Atout France Director Catherine Oden said here today.

The roadshow will travel to other metros like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Calcutta.

According to a study presented by the Paris lle-de-France, the average age of an Indian tourist to the city was 34, with 57.6 per cent from a socio-professional group. First timers accounted for 45 per cent, while repeat visitors amounted to 39 percent.

''The average length of stay in Paris for an Indian tourist is five days with an average expenditure of Euro 183 per day. 97.2 per cent said, they enjoyed their stay and 55.1 per cent hoped to return,'' Paris lle-de-France Deputy Director Nicola Barret said.

''Paris alone has more than 250 sites from the Eiffel, Louvre to shopping centres like Galaries Lafayette and cabarets like Paradis Latin. Among Indian outbound torists, the wife and kids play a major role in deciding the itinerary. For a destination like France, we will be focussing on MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions) and honeymoon segments,'' Kuoni Group India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Zubin Karkare said. According to World Tourism Organization, India's outbound tourism is growing at 15-20 per cent and the country is set to be in the top three tourism countries in the next 20 years. The country already has 30 million passport holders and 20 million families are earning enough to afford a holiday abroad.

-- (UNI) -- 23BY24.xml

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