SLAITO revives Sancharaka Udawa Tourism Product Trade Fair

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) yesterday announced the annual Sancharaka Udawa Tourism Product Trade Fair, which brings to the forefront many unidentified small and medium service providers by creating a platform to showcase their services as well as build links with the tourism industry, will be staged on 5 and 6 May at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre. 

The brainchild of Nilmini Nanayakkara, Managing Director of NKAR Travels Ltd, the then President of SLAITO, the trade fair had a huge impact on developing tourism when it was first initiated by him in 2011. 

Commenting on the trade fair, Nanayakkara said: “The Sancharaka Udawa Tourism Product Trade Fair to be held in 2017 is expected to provide a forum for small and relatively unknown suppliers and producers, while creating a cascading effect of revenue generation to all levels of society in Sri Lanka. It  will not only be limited to showcasing sources of accommodation but will also cover new and varied locations to visit, transportation facilities, foreign language speaking guides, wild life parks, rain forests, etc. This event is aligned to SLAITO’s mandate to ‘promote and foster the rapid and long-term growth of tourism by providing and maintaining a high standard of excellence’ to foster the long-term growth of tourism. The Sancharaka Udawa Tourism Product Trade Fair will benefit the smaller organisations and businesses which depend on tourism but need support from an institution like SLAITO. We are confident this will boost their business prospects and benefit the long-term sustainability of Sri Lanka Tourism as well.”

As the apex body for in-bound tourism and established to promote and foster the rapid and long-term growth of tourism in Sri Lanka by providing and maintaining a high standard of excellence in the services provided for the comfort and convenience of the tourist in all aspects, SLAITO has identified a need to revive the fair to have a beneficial impact on tourism and tourism operators.From left: Arundika Fernando - Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, Sarath Amunugama - Minister of Special Assignments, John Amaratunga - Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs and Devindre Senaratne – President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators/File phot

From left: Arundika Fernando - Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga - Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, Ajith Dias – Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, Sarath Amunugama - Minister of Special Assignments and Devindre Senaratne – President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators/File photo