The British newspaper “Times” revealed on Monday, that France intends to launch a promotional campaign for a mobile application aimed at protecting tourists from exploitation and fraud as part of its preparations to host the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
While France is celebrated for its culture and cuisine, it often receives less praise when it comes to customer service and catering to tourists.
With an expected 20 million international visitors during the upcoming summer Olympics in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron’s government is keen on leaving a positive impression on France.
As a result, they have developed a mobile application to assist in protecting tourists from overpriced services or fraudulent activities by taxi drivers, car rental companies, hotels, restaurants, and stores.
The application, called “SignalConso”, will be available for free download in English, allowing users to report problems or seek advice.
The app includes instructions on how to obtain refunds and provides information on consumer rights.
A spokesperson for the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control stated, “Like all consumers, foreign visitors need protection. We want to ensure that tourists enjoy the same level of consumer protection as French residents and receive practical assistance during their stay in the country.”
According to “Times”, the app, already available in French, has been used to handle approximately 600,000 complaints or requests. It is seen as a step toward improving customer service, which is notoriously poor in France. It started as a website in 2020 before the mobile app was launched in the spring, with over 100,000 downloads to date.
The newspaper reported that about 15% of the issues reported through the app were related to tourists and involved cafes, restaurants, or recreational activities.
Visitors can use it to seek advice or obtain general information on topics ranging from traveling to France with pets to the amount of money allowed to be brought into the country.
The French government plans to promote the app through social media and international media channels.
QR code signs will be placed in airports and stations to facilitate easy downloads for visitors. The app can also be used to report dangerous or defective products, counterfeit goods, and fraudulent activities.
If consumers provide their names, companies or businesses mentioned in the complaints can communicate with them to offer dispute resolution.
If consumers choose not to disclose their identities, the complaint is also sent to the businesses in the hope of encouraging them to improve their practices.
