A first of its kind interactive networking session was jointly organised by the Consulate General of France in Kolkata and Atout France for travel agents at the Park Hotel in Kolkata. The event was an ideal platform for the French Consulate and Atout France to share inputs on visa deliverance issues and marketing activities conducted by Atout France, as well as acquaint the gathering with an informative presentation on “Destination France”.
This session was followed by an interactive cocktail and networking dinner, enabling the gathering of agents to interact with the French dignitaries such as Fabrice Etienne, Consul General of France in Kolkata, and Catherine Oden, Director Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency.
Oden, who shared her thoughts with the invitees said, “It has been our endeavour to foray into markets with strong potential such as Kolkata. I would like to thank our Consul General, Etienne for taking this initiative of organising a session of this sort which gave us a first- hand opportunity to meet and interact with agents. We have also had one-on-one meetings with agents which have proved to be quite satisfactory. We hope that this endeavour will motivate many more of Kolkata residents to plan a “Be There! Do That!” French holiday soon!”
Etienne expressed the wish that more tourists from Kolkata chose France and its overseas territories as a destination for their holidays. He assured the gathering that everything is being done to expedite the visa process. He reiterated that all visa applications for tourists were being processed within 48 hours, including during the peak season, as long as the files are complete. Moreover, since June 2014, hotel bookings or hotel vouchers are not required any more from Indian tourists, provided that their financial situation is adequate to cover their expenses while in France. He hoped that these measures will convince the travel agencies to promote France as a main destination in their tours of Europe.
