The Hindu : New Delhi News : Leading balloonists head for Rajasthan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Leading balloonists head for Rajasthan

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: Aimed at promoting adventure sports and giving a fillip to tourism in the country, a two-week-long "Rajasthan International Hot Air Ballooning Fiesta" was flagged off at Bikaner House here on Monday by Rajasthan Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi.

"Adventure sport is fast gaining ground in India, and Rajasthan has always been actively involved in promoting such sports. The beautiful terrain of Rajasthan is an ideal destination to hold an event of this magnitude. The event will certainly put India on the international calendar of hot air ballooning," said Mr. Zutshi, who gave the go-ahead to three balloons flown by international pilots.

Organised by Rajasthan Tourism along with E-Factor Entertainment Private Limited and Wild in the Woods, the fiesta would travel to Barmer and Jodhpur before culminating in a grand finale at Jaipur. Mr. Zutshi informed that Rajasthan had witnessed a 50 per cent increase in tourism in the past three years and 10 per cent increase in international tourism.

"Tourism in Rajasthan is something the entire world knows about. It is the most sought after tourist destination. We want to promote heritage tourism and highlight the Pink City of Jaipur, diversified products, elephant polo and camel safari," said Mr. Zutshi.

A special feature of the event is that 50 balloonists from 11 countries including the United States, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Mexico, Poland and France are participating.

Among those present on the occasion was the world's leading ballooning consultant Phil Dunnington.

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