Premier Tourism and Travel Exhibition - ‘Sancharaka Udawa’

Mr. Harith Perera - President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators delivering his speech 

The 8th Edition of the only Tourism & Travel Fair in Sri Lanka, Sancharaka Udawa, has been announced for the 4th & 5th of May 2018 at an event which was graced by travel and tourism officials and industry operators. Sancharaka Udawa is organized by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). The momentous announcement of the 2018 Sancharaka Udawa was made in the presence of Hon. John Amaratunga - Minister, Tourism Development & Christian Religious Affairs; Mr. Kavan Ratnayaka - Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority; Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam - Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau;  Mr. Harith Perera - President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators; Mr. Nishad Wijetunga - Chairman, Sancharaka Udawa 2018; and Mr. Imran Hassan - Managing Director, CDC Events & Travels (Pvt) Ltd. The exhibition offers a unique platform for B2B and B2C segments while facilitating industry stakeholders to engage with related government authorities.

Sancharaka Udawa is scheduled to be held over 2 days on 4th& 5th of May 2018 and will be open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm to welcome an expected 250-plus exhibitors and an estimated over 10,000 visitors. The exhibiting space is open to small, medium and large businesses related to tourism in any way. This year’s edition will also feature outbound tourism industry stakeholders such as travel agents and airlines, these exhibitors will offer exciting deals on holidays for attendees. The event will culminate with a gala fellowship event for new entrants into the industry to meet industry veterans. Awards will also be given out for Best Stall Creations and Lifetime achievement for leading lights in the industry. 

(from left) - Mr. Imran Hassan – Managing Director, CDC Events & Travels (Pvt) Ltd Mr. Nishad Wijethunga - Chairman, Sncharaka Udawa 2018 Mr. Sutheash Balasubramanium - Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Mr. Harith Perera - President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators Mr Nilmin Nanayakkara – Past President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators

The main objective of this event is to provide maximum exposure to mainstream tourism, thereby creating a platform for small and medium service providers to network and build vital links with the tour operators and thereby enter the wider spectrum of the tourism industry. Multiple benefits are expected to accrue for exhibitors at the venue such as brand visibility for Sri Lanka tourism in all marketing material both digital and print while reassuring the commitment of Sri Lanka Tourism towards capacity building and uplifting infrastructure and resources of the industry.

Free-of-charge stalls for tourism related government departments such as Department of Wildlife, Central Cultural Fund and Tourist Police have been extended to enable the trade and public sector to interact. Also, free-of-charge stalls for Universities such as Colombo, Uvawellassa, Kelaniya & Sabaragamuwa have been organized to encourage students to study tourism and avail of the perfect platform to interact with trade officials.

Interesting sessions have been planned along the side-lines of the exhibition such as ‘New Millennial think tanks plenary discussions’ on the way forward in line with new global trends and a seminar on Small and Medium company finance management. Music, entertainment and children’s play area will be provided at the venue to encourage youth and families to attend.

In order to ensure that Sancharaka Udawa is a well-publicized event, a well-planned marketing campaign has been planned to attract exhibitors including an advertising campaign using digital and traditional methods and media, along with road shows etc.