France Keen on Tourism, Heritage Tie-Up With Telangana

Hyderabad:Over 200 French nationals currently residing in Telangana have expressed keen interest in expanding collaboration in tourism, culture and heritage conservation, French officials said in a meeting with tourism minister Jupally Krishna Rao.

The minister called for strengthening cooperation between Telangana and France, stating that deeper people‑to‑people exchanges and heritage partnerships would create new opportunities for tourism, investment and economic growth.

Referring to the robust India–France strategic partnership, the delegation highlighted growing cooperation in defence, pharmaceuticals, technology and innovation. They informed the minister that nearly 200 French nationals are living in Telangana and keen to expand collaboration in tourism, culture and heritage conservation.

The remarks were made during a courtesy call by French Consul General Marc Lamy and Deputy Consul Pascal Loreau at the Dr B R Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat.

Highlighting Telangana’s rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage, Rao said Hyderabad has emerged as a vibrant global city while preserving its unique legacy. He invited the French government, embassy and tourism stakeholders to partner with Telangana in promoting Hyderabad and the state’s diverse destinations among French travellers.

He also proposed expanding cultural exchange programmes and encouraging reciprocal visits by artists, scholars, tourism professionals and cultural delegations. A joint working group could be constituted to identify areas of collaboration in heritage conservation, cultural exchanges and tourism promotion, he suggested.

The French delegation noted that France welcomes over 100 million international visitors annually and highlighted the significant role of tourism and culture in attracting global investment while strengthening people‑to‑people ties.