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Monday Dec 16, 2024
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By Charumini de Silva
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| SLAITO President Nishad Wijetunga |
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| Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu |
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| CDC Events & Travels Managing Director Imran Hassan |
The 10th edition of ‘Sancharaka Udawa’ — the country’s biggest and only travel and tourism trade fair is all set to make a comeback in May after a three-year absence following multiple crises.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), and supported by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the trade fair offers a vital platform for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C), supporting all small, medium and large travel players to make their appearance.
The two-day event will be held on 19 and 20 May at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exposition Centre and allow over 200 exhibitors to market their products, whilst providing a platform to engage with the relevant Government authorities as well as build lasting connections with the target markets to grasp the most current layout of the tourism industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Tourism Minister and Sri Lanka Tourism, SLTPB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu assured the fullest support for the event as well as to overcome the multitude of challenges faced by the industry.
“It is great to be able to hold the premier travel and tourism trade fair after a three-year hiatus. Let’s make this trade fair a success and develop to make it an international event going forward,” he added.
SLAITO President Nishard Wijetunge said it was timely to hold the 10th edition of the Sancharka Udawa at a time the country had gained stability and tourism picked up.
“This is the most anticipated trade fair of the tourism industry. It is a perfect occasion for new operators and service providers to show their niche offerings and elevate the attention of the country as a whole. The expected benefits of this endeavour will reflect a substantial increase in bookings and sales to the smaller service providers situated in the regions,” he added.
Sancharaka Udawa Committee Chair Charith de Alwis expressing his confidence in the faithful group of exhibitors who repeatedly exhibited over the past nine editions said they have already received a favourable response from industry players.
“We expect to have a footfall of around 6,000 for the two days and to build together a wide network of personnel across the industry,” he said.
Prospective exhibitors include hotels and resorts, restaurants, entertainment services and boutique hotels, which will be the largest segment, transport providers, campsites, and provincial tourism authorities among others.
Joint-Exhibition Organiser Imran Hassen recalled that from its humble beginnings with only 60 counters in 2029, the event has grown to over 200 stalls and this year tourism stakeholders have been offered a subsidised price to provide for all small, medium and large tourism players to exhibit their products and services.
The 10th edition of the event will include leading and independent outbound global co-operators alongside cultural entertainment providers. The exhibition will begin at 10 a.m. and continue till 8 p.m. The proceeding for the first half on 20 May is on trade and will be open to the public from the second half of the first day. The sancharakaudawa.com website will provide additional information on registration for the event.
Pix by Shehan Gunasekara
