Thanks to swine flu scare, only seven foreign tourists turned up at Saurashtra’s famous Tarnetar fair this year, however they enjoyed at their fullest.

Usually Tarnetar fair witness 25 to 50 foreign tourists, but this year due to swine flu scare, private tour operators could get only seven bookings.

The foreign tourists were advised to wear mask, and they followed this advice.

Most of the foreign tourists were from Europe. They added various places like Dasada, Kutch, Rapar Ravechi fair, Wankaner Palace etc. in their itinerary before or after the fair.

Charity lunch service at the fair known as ‘Sarvajanik Annkshetra’ attracted the foreign tourists. They also enjoyed the cattle fair.

However they enjoyed rural tourism tour the most.

Gujarat Tourism arranged a rural tour in nearby Vijaliya village where tourists enjoyed Gujarat traditional food Rotla, Chhash, Desi butter etc. Tourists visited farms and local houses.

Foreign tourists didn’t miss an opportunity to learn Gujarati traditional dances like Hinch and Titudo amidst voices from Dhol instrument.

Over all total 143 tourists including seven foreigners enjoyed to their fullest. One of them said, “swine flu or not swine flu, we will be sending our friends to this fair, especially to enjoy rural tour next year.”

Five things that make Tarnetar Fair worth visiting