Indian Tourists Embrace UPI for Seamless Transactions

Indian Tourists Embrace UPI for Seamless Transactions

By Author

Published on February 6, 2024

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris is ushering in a new era for Indian tourists, allowing them to effortlessly purchase tickets via India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This groundbreaking development, announced during a celebratory event hosted by the Indian Embassy in France for Republic Day, marks a significant leap forward in global digital transactions.

In a strategic collaboration, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has joined forces with Lyra, a French e-commerce and payments platform, to introduce the UPI payment mechanism in France. The Eiffel Tower proudly becomes the first merchant in the country to embrace UPI, with plans to extend this service to other tourism and retail establishments across France and Europe.

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With this integration, Indian tourists can now streamline their Eiffel Tower visit by purchasing tickets online through the simple and secure UPI payment system. This user-friendly process involves scanning a QR code generated on the merchant's website, making the transaction quick, easy, and hassle-free.

The vision of a truly interoperable global payment system takes a step closer to reality as NIPL actively collaborates with financial institutions worldwide to establish partnerships. Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, emphasizes the ambition to enable acceptance of NPCI's payment solutions in international markets, offering consumers convenient and secure cross-border payment solutions.

Lyra, with its 17-year presence in India, expresses pride in the partnership and the potential it holds for the French and European tourism ecosystem. Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, highlights the promise of new business opportunities resulting from this collaboration.

This move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement during his visit to France, where he declared the initiation of the UPI payment mechanism from the iconic Eiffel Tower. The global reach of UPI extends to various countries, including Singapore, where the payment system has been seamlessly integrated, showcasing India's commitment to digital advancements.

With more than 380 million users in India, UPI has become a cornerstone of digital transactions, recording a staggering 12.2 billion transactions in the previous month alone. The Eiffel Tower's adoption of UPI not only simplifies the payment process for Indian tourists but also paves the way for a digital revolution in global tourism.


Elevating Guest Experience Through Technology – EYTE’s Cutting-Edge Work at Marriott Vashi

Elevating Guest Experience Through Technology – EYTE’s Cutting-Edge Work at Marriott Vashi

By Hariharan U

Published on August 13, 2025

In today’s hospitality landscape, technology is no longer an afterthought – it is the heartbeat of exceptional guest experiences. At the recently launched Marriott Vashi, EYTE Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has redefined what it means to blend comfort, convenience, and innovation. As trusted AV, IT, Acoustics, and IoT consultants with a presence in Singapore, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad, EYTE has delivered a seamlessly integrated technology ecosystem that enhances every touchpoint of the guest journey.

A Vision of Immersive Hospitality

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From the moment guests step into Marriott Vashi’s lift lobby, they are greeted by a carefully orchestrated audio-visual environment. Strategically placed ceiling speakers set a warm, inviting tone, while dynamic signage displays deliver real-time updates and brand messaging. Centralized AV racks ensure all systems operate flawlessly, reflecting Marriott’s commitment to sophistication and reliability.

Enhancing Every Space – Tailored to Function & Mood

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Whether it’s the soothing ambient music in the restaurant, high-brightness LED walls in the ballroom, or precision audio in the pre-function area, EYTE’s designs adapt to the unique atmosphere of each zone. Meeting rooms are equipped with dual high-resolution displays, cable cubbies for clutter-free connectivity, and beamforming microphones for crystal-clear hybrid conferences. Even the gym, spa, and terrace pool benefit from thoughtful technology integration – from motivational soundscapes to weather-resistant outdoor speakers.

Smart Solutions for Modern Hospitality

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EYTE’s work goes beyond hardware. Intelligent volume controls, Bluetooth-enabled audio streaming, and synchronized BGM systems across connected spaces make managing the guest experience effortless for hotel staff. Floor boxes, discreetly embedded in lounges and event spaces, ensure power and AV connections are always accessible yet invisible, preserving Marriott Vashi’s refined aesthetic.

Driving Brand Experience Through Technology

By creating immersive atmospheres, streamlining communication, and supporting seamless event execution, EYTE has helped Marriott Vashi elevate its service standards. This project demonstrates how smart technology design can not only meet but anticipate guest needs – from the energy of a ballroom gala to the tranquility of a spa retreat.

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EYTE Technologies, led by Managing Director Abdul Waheed, has transformed Marriott Vashi’s guest experience with a fully integrated audio-visual, IT, and IoT system. Their tailored solutions, combining innovation with comfort, set a new benchmark for hospitality technology in India.

EYTE Technologies’ expertise proves that in luxury hospitality, technology isn’t just a support system  it’s a signature of the brand. With projects like Marriott Vashi, they continue to set new benchmarks for integrated hospitality technology across India and beyond.

To learn more about EYTE Technologies’ hospitality solutions, visit www.eyte.sg.


EquateMe Launches QuickPlay: Customised Mobile-Based Games Transforming Cafés, Bars, Restaurants, Malls & Hotels

By Author

Published on August 13, 2025

EquateMe, a Gurugram-based hospitality tech startup, has unveiled QuickPlay, a cutting-edge mobile-based gaming platform designed specifically for cafés, bars, restaurants, malls, and hotels. The concept is simple yet powerful — transform ordinary wait times into moments of fun, engagement, and brand interaction.

With QuickPlay, guests can instantly jump into retro-inspired, snackable games such as branded Tic-Tac-Toe, Tap Battles, Puzzles, Keno, and more — all without downloading any app. Whether solo (against the computer) or 1v1 with a partner, QuickPlay keeps guests entertained and connected while their order is being prepared.

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The platform also offers customisation for venue branding — from themed game designs to in-game scrolling banners promoting specials, events, or partner brands. A live leaderboard feature adds a competitive edge, perfect for driving repeat play and increasing dwell time.

For hotels and resorts, QuickPlay extends beyond restaurants to lounges, pool bars, and waiting areas, providing guests with an effortless entertainment option while showcasing in-house promotions, F&B offers, and upcoming events.

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Mr. Jatin Nanda, Founder of EquateMe

Speaking about the launch, Jatin Nanda, Founder of EquateMe, said:
"Hospitality venues are always looking for ways to stand out, engage guests, and drive more repeat visits. QuickPlay is designed to do exactly that — while creating new opportunities for venues and brands to connect with customers in a fun, memorable way."

Email: contact@equateme.com 


MakeMyTrip Launches Multilingual Generative AI Trip Assistant for Conversational Travel Planning

MakeMyTrip Launches Multilingual Generative AI Trip Assistant for Conversational Travel Planning

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 9, 2025

MakeMyTrip has launched its multilingual Generative AI-powered Trip Planning Assistant, designed to transform how travellers plan and book their journeys by enabling real-time, conversational interactions.

Currently in beta, the assistant is built on an agentic AI framework and supports travel categories including flights, hotels, holidays, ground transport, visas, and foreign exchange. It allows users to engage in back-and-forth conversations through both voice and text, making the experience more natural and accessible.

Initially available in English and Hindi, the platform will expand to include more Indian languages after user feedback and further testing. The assistant is capable of handling both open-ended and specific queries, such as “Where can I go in August for a relaxing holiday with my children?” or “Mujhe Udaipur mein 3-star hotel 3500 ke budget mein chahiye”, providing results based on live availability, pricing, and preferences.

Unlike traditional travel tools that stop at suggestions, the MakeMyTrip assistant allows users to move from discovery to booking within the same conversation. The company aims to make travel planning more intuitive for non-English-speaking audiences and to improve accessibility in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said: “This assistant converts intent into action, particularly for users from the Bharat heartland who have been underserved by previous online travel interfaces.”

Group CTO Sanjay Mohan highlighted the platform’s technical sophistication, noting that it uses multi-agent architecture, custom language models, and verification protocols to provide accurate, real-time responses. The assistant builds on MakeMyTrip’s previous AI-led innovations, including Fare Lock, Zero Cancellation, voice-led support, and predictive rail booking tools.

Future updates will add image and video-based interactions as well as semantic search, enabling travellers to plan trips using visual and abstract inputs for more personalised recommendations.

The launch reinforces MakeMyTrip’s commitment to investing in AI infrastructure to create a highly responsive, multilingual platform capable of supporting complex travel decisions.

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