Karkaria, who is also chief executive of VFS Global, was appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by French president Francois Hollande.
The award was given out by Alexandre Ziegler, ambassador of France to India at a ceremony in Mumbai, India, on December 2.
The distinction recognises Karkaria’s contributions in developing France as a tourist destination through leisure travel and the management of visa services across the world.
In the UK, VFS Global manages visa processing services for 22 diplomatic missions. In 2015, Karkaria became the first Asian to head the Switzerland-headquartered Kuoni Group.
He was said to have “pioneered the concept of visa process outsourcing in 2001 with the launch of VFS Global”.
Karkaria said: "I have always believed in the enormous potential France has as a destination, and over the years, it has been my privilege to work with Atout France, France’s tourism development agency, and many other stakeholders from the travel fraternity in promoting and facilitating travel to this beautiful country."
