Gujarat expects Rs 100-cr business during Navratri fest

Gujarat government expects Rs 100 crore business turnover during the nine-day-long Navratri festival celebrated across 40,000 places in the state from September 19 to 27.

Through various sources Gujarat government is expecting to generate to the tune of Rs 100 crore during the nine-day festival in the state, Resident Manager of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL), told reporters here. TCGL is conducting a road show here.

Pancholi said that around 3.5 crore people will participate in Garba dance, which is an integral part of Navrati festivities, which will begin from September 19 to September 27.

TCGL has launched road-shows across the country inviting the tourists to witness this longest dance festival of the world. TCGLs Chairman Kamalesh Patel along with his team is participating in these shows.

Pancholi said that the sale of traditional dress and vibrant night life during these days contribute to the economy. Patel, interacting with reporters here, said that tourism in the western state is all set to take a giant leap with investment memorandum of understandings worth Rs 55,000 crore signed with different companies.

The state government has invested Rs 600 crore in tourism infrastructure, he added.

The TCGL figures revealed that the tourism inflow has jumped from mere 70 lakh to 1.75 crore during last three years.

He said that the new concepts like Kankria lake carnival and Kutch carnival are drawing large number of tourists. Thousands of people witnessed Kankria lake carnival which is becoming a major attraction. Also kutch carnival is gaining popularity amongst the tourists, Patel said.

TCGL officials said that the bookings, for Kutch carnival, which is hosted in the white sand desert in December month, are full.