Gujarat govt keen to develop Ranotsav as global destination

The number of the tourists visiting the desert fair has been rising constantly. In fact,the authorities had to turn down the requests of some of the tourists to book a tent or a bhoonga (hut) for the three-day carnival starting from December 1.

The event is being organised on the basis of public private partnership (PPP) with the help of industrial houses in the region.

Anoop Shukla,Managing Director of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL),said: “The idea of enjoying Ranotsav on a full-moon night on a desert stretch with local music and cultural show has become a hit with the tourists. While tourism is still in its nascent stage in Gujarat,we are looking forward to developing the fair as a competition to the Jaisalmer desert fair.”

Sources said the number of the tourists visiting the desert festival has increased.

However,despite the rise in the number of visitors,the income has dipped from Rs 17.64 crore in 2006-2007 to Rs 3.61 crore in 2007-2008. According to Tourism department officials,the reason for good income in 2006-2007 was the sale of a piece of land by the TCGL.

This year,writers associated with travel magazines across the globe and ambassadors from eight countries have been invited to the Ranotsav with an idea to develop it as a global destination. Presently,only 18 per cent of the tourists come from other states in the country while only 1 per cent are foreigners.

“As in Goa,foreigners should visit the Rann of Kutch in chartered planes in the long run. We are looking forward to develop the required facilities to attract the global tourists,” said Kamlesh Patel,Chairman of TCGL.

Besides considering the development of Dhordo and Hadko as heritage villages,the state government is also planning to rope in more industrial estates in the Kutch region for the development of the white desert area.

“The Rann of Kutch is unique as it is the only white desert in the world. Talks are on with more industrial estates to rope them in under the PPP model and we have received a very positive response,” said Vipul Mitra,Secretary,Tourism Department.