Emirates Airlines recently launched five flights a week into Lyon, its third gateway into France. The airline also introduced Algeria as its last sector for the FY 2012-13. It has launched nine to 12 new routes in the last one year, and is set to introduce several more, especially in the US in the FY 2013-14. This information was provided at a workshop Lyon by Emirates and Rhone-Alpes Tourism in Mumbai recently. The aim of the workshop was to better educate the Indian travel trade about Rhone-Alpes and all it has to offer the Indian traveller. The workshop was also conducted in Delhi.
Introducing the destination, Barbara Breheret, Rhone-Alpes Tourism, stated that the region’s nature, ski slopes, vineyards and UNESCO Heritage Sites will be promoted to the Indian market. “We recognise India as a potential market and aim to open the doors of 150 ski resorts to cater to the Indian clientele. The five flights a week by Emirates will help increase Indian footfall to the region. In addition, there will be dedicated service desks available at Lyon airport for tour operators from India to assist them in any way possible to cater to the specific demands of the Indian market,” she said.
Lyon welcomed 25,000 Indians in 2012, with a 70 per cent increase in arrivals from Delhi and Mumbai alone, making the two metros the destination’s main focus. Breheret added that the destination is also doing very well among the tier II markets, especially Chennai and Bengaluru. Ahmedabad is another key city for the destination in terms of FIT to Chamonix. Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Ludhiana are among other cities they would like to tap from India, she revealed.
Speaking about Rhone-Alpes activities in India, Breheret informed that the Board plans to visit more cities during the year for trainings for the trade. “We are currently studying the response and organisation of the travel trade in our target cities to better understand it. We also have a special website for tour operators and is divided according to theme to better explain our offerings. A web TV is also available to promote the region. To engage with the trade we will participate in the workshop with France in September in Delhi and Mumbai. During that time Rhone-Alpes will add its own training programme and visit Chennai and Bengaluru as well,” she revealed.
The workshop highlighted Chamonix – Mont Blanc, which has seen an increase in FITs and overnights from India in the recent past; Lake Annecy and Aravis Mountains; Evian and Cotes du Rhone. Lyon was also highlighted as a recommended region for Bollywood shoots.
