The France Tourism Development Agency successfully organised the inaugural edition of France Excellence, its dedicated luxury B2B showcase, in Mumbai from 11–13 November. A delegation of 13 key stakeholders representing the diversity of France’s luxury travel offerings engaged with 50 members of the Indian travel trade fraternity through two days of pre-scheduled meetings. More than 600 business meetings were conducted, helping buyers and exhibitors establish strong connections and explore new business opportunities.
The showcase opened with a presentation for the French delegation on the Indian luxury travel landscape and the evolving profile of the Indian traveller. The session offered deep insights into luxury travel personas and cultural context, led by Salil Deshpande, Head of Editorial Content at Condé Nast Traveller India, and Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France India.
An opening dinner at The Pavilion by Quorum featured a luxury travel panel, Decoding Luxe à l’Indienne, with expert insights from luxury leaders including Anurag Tyagi (Christian Dior Couture), Almona Bhatia (Tata Cliq), Simon de Beauregard (Pernod Ricard India), and Sridhar Keppurengan (VISA). The evening continued with convivial networking among industry stakeholders and the French business community. Additional highlights included an immersive wine-reading session by astrologer Sheetal Shaparia, followed by lively conversations over Lillet cocktails curated by Pernod Ricard.
Beyond the meetings at the Jio Convention Centre, the delegation deepened connections through interactive team-building ateliers focused on mixology with sommelier Gagan Sharma and oenology with Sonal Holland, Master of Wine—showcasing France’s savoir-faire and areas of excellence.
The showcase also featured a select B2C media and influencer dinner at Indian Accent, pairing contemporary Indian cuisine with exceptional French wines.
Sharing her thoughts, Sheetal Munshaw said:
“India is evolving, as is our strategy for the market. Focusing on the luxury segment—from the aspirational luxury seeker to the legacy luxury dweller—is a natural choice for France. In the post-Covid era, we see discerning travellers seeking authenticity and out-of-the-ordinary experiences. A platform such as this brings key stakeholders together, leading to stronger conversations and deeper connections. The goal was to familiarise our ecosystem with the codes of Indian luxury and prepare to welcome Indian guests with an enriched understanding of their expectations. We will continue creating platforms that strengthen these synergies and contribute to the immense opportunity India presents for France in the years ahead.”
