Kite enthusiasts show their skill at festival

Gujarat Government-promoted International Kite Festival today evoked enthusiastic response from kite fliers.
Kites in various shapes and sizes dominated the sky as participants vied with each other to show their flying skills.
Around 50 persons, including 27 foreigners, took part in the festival organised by Tourism Department at Ishwariya Park in Rajkot.
As many as 62 kite fliers from Russia, Kazakhstan, France and South Africa took part in the festival organised at Saputara, a popular hill station in Dangs district in South Gujarat.
The festival has become a highly popular annual event. It is part of Gujarat Tourism's strategy to showcase and promote the culture and history of the State, said Kamlesh Patel, Chairman of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd, while inaugurating the event.

"Thanks to this festival, Gujarat is fast assuming the enviable position of being one of the most preferred travel and tourism destinations of the country."
The number of tourists, including foreigners, visiting Gujarat went up to four crores in 2013 from 60 lakhs in 2007. This was on account of various festivals and events organised by the corporation, Patel said.
Patel said new tourists spots will be developed in Saputara at a cost of Rs 40 crore.