Catherine Oden, Director, Atout France in India and Nicolas Barret, Deputy Director, Paris Ile-de-France, Regional Tourist Board along with French delegates.

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Atout France, The France Tourism Development Agency (FTDA) celebrated its 7th Annual and most awaited event, French Connection 2009 and reinforced its strategic commitment to India. The 5 days road show was held between 23rd to 27th November in Mumbai and New Delhi.
The road show showcased a multitude of French tourism products through its 23 exhibitors. Of these, 8 exhibitors represented the region of Paris, spearheaded by Paris Ile-de-France, Regional Tourist Board (RTB), while the other 14 exhibitors represented various other regions of France. The exhibitors portrayed an eclectic mix of what France has to offer in terms of tourism opportunities, including high end destinations and products, ski and sea side resorts, transportation and hospitality partners.
Paris Ile-de-France, RTB was the Guest of Honour for French Connection 2009. The spotlight this year was on Paris and its surrounds and the myriad attractions of this world tourism capital.
Atout France aimed at highlighting the capital city of Paris and its surrounds as well as the country’s various unexplored regions as options for Indian travellers to France. While bolstering its ties with key tourism partners and business associates across India, this road show aimed to strengthen France’s position as a leading lifestyle destination for the affluent traveller.
Speaking on the occasion, Catherine Oden, the new Director for Atout France in India said, “I am delighted to come back to India after a gap of four years and witness the evolution in the already burgeoning outbound market over this period of time. This has been an important year in the history of ‘French Tourism’. Erstwhile Maison de la France has been re-christened Atout France, but the new entity entails much more than a name change. We have now under our fold, a slew of strategic aspects such as development of infrastructural and tourism projects lending French expertise in international markets”.
Ms Catherine added, “India has been identified as a key growth area and the market trends seem to confirm the same. Apart from the consistent 10 % to 15 % growth in the influx of Indian tourists in France year on year, there is also a clear progression in the profile of the Indian traveller. The average spends, number of nights, regions visited have all developed very favourably for France. It is our endeavour to continue to facilitate this growth towards which our annual showcase French Connection plays an instrumental role”.
Nicolas Barret, Deputy Director, Paris Ile-de-France, RTB said, “Paris Ile-de-France is the world capital of “Art de Vivre” and culture. Famous for the magic of its lights and monuments, it’s also a city which is constantly evolving and where there’s always something new going on”.
Paris Ile-de-France is the world’s most visited tourist destination (14.4 million arrivals in 2008. Source: INSEE – DGCIS – CRT). A fabulous destination that is widely admired for the diversity of its natural and cultural richness and its historical heritage, Paris Ile-de-France boasts a calendar of cultural and festive events of the very highest order, which bear witness to its vitality and creativity.
The highlight of this year’s French Connection was the scintillating Parisian soiree ‘An Evening in Paris’, in Mumbai. The Paris Ile-de-France RTB along with KUONI, Air France and Atout France hosted this gala evening. An evening to remember, bringing alive the spirit of the Nouveau Paris through the unveiling of the new film of Paris Ile-de-France on a 12 feet gigantic screen that left the guests mesmerized as they witnessed the myriad attractions of the world tourism capital – Paris and its surrounds. This coupled with a six course French sit down dinner designed by Chef Hemant Oberoi was a true sampling of Parisian eloquence.
The evening was heightened by an electrifying performance by the famous cabaret Paradis Latin considers itself to be the most Parisian of the French cabarets. The performance was a concoction of a cosmopolitan dance troupe, shimmering costumes, a symphony of colours with its striking ballets and surprising attractions.
Rashmi Uday Singh, celebrated gastronome was bestowed the prestigious ‘Atout France Media Personality of the Year Award’ at this occasion in Mumbai. “I have had a lifelong love affair with Paris and France, so being recognized and awarded, gives me the heady fulfilled happy ‘forever after’ feeling”, said Rashmi.
It was at this prestigious event ‘An evening in Paris’ that the 1st announcement of her upcoming book ‘Food and Fashion in Paris’ co-authored with international fashion designer Ritu Beri was made. Ms Rashmi said, “This original and first of its kind book will not only trace the connection between food and fashion on different levels, but also give useful and usable information about Paris which will make this book an invaluable guide to food and fashion in Paris”.