Vadodara: Travel enthusiasts from different parts of the country and globe have started to throng Kutch district for the popular Rann Utsav which kickstarted yesterday.

The annual festival that will last till February 20, 2017, will give tourists an experience of Gujarati style of celebrations alongside the Great Rann of Kutch and visitors have made bookings two-three months in advance, according to tours and travel operators.

Chairman of Gujarat Tourism Corporation Ltd (GTCL) Kamlesh Patel said this year, the government has given the contract to private tour operators for tourists accommodation in the tents.

“We expect a large number of tourists from across the country and abroad to the Rann Utsav. More than 7 lakhs tourists had visited the 112-day long festival in 2015-16 and we expect the number to surpass last year’s figures,” he said.

Managing director of Akshar Tour and Travels company Ltd, Manish Sharma said that they have received bookings two-three months in advance from places like Chennai, Delhi , Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and even abroad as well.

PTI