Eurail To Set Up Office In Mumbai

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

Rail Europe (Eurail) has planned to appoint a local representative and set up an office in Mumbai in 2005. The decision has been taken in view of the fact that the India market is growing fast and the appointed sales agents are not doing enough promotion.

Said Florence Pasquier, director, products and customer support, Eurail, "We are going to have a local representative in Mumbai because we want to do our own marketing. Now, agents get a budget allocated for promotion but often fall short of spending the budget. The Indian market is growing fast with FIT travel increasing, so we want to do our own promotions." However, Pasquier reiterated that sales would be done through their appointed agents only.

Currently, Eurail operates in the India market through six sales agents including SOTC, TCI, Cox and Kings, Thomas Cook and Access Worldwide. Eurail passes are only sold through these agents - the online booking is done through their website, which is connected to the central reservation system.

"In India we will promote the France pass, EuroSelect pass that enables a traveller to choose a number of countries that have rail and boat links, EuroStar pass between London and Paris and Flexi passes valid for a month or two. We will find partnership with airlines for joint promotions and as well as promoting packages," informed Pasquier while commenting on her promotional plans. Eurail's Swiss pass is most popular in India as it allows children up to 16 years to travel free of charge. Eurostar connecting Paris and London is also doing well. In 2004, 15,000 tickets were sold on Eurostar.