Sri Lanka’s main tourism fair to attract more visitors
Aimed at attracting large numbers to visit the travel industry’s eighth edition of the travel and tourism trade fair Sancharaka Udawa in Colombo from May 4-5 the outbound travel market will be present this year with attractive offerings.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the fair this year will feature over 250 exhibitors and aims to attract over 10,000 visitors to the event scheduled to be held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre.
SLAITO President Harith Perera said that this year there would be a diverse number of stalls and pointed out that they also intend on attracting and involving the SME sector as well.
Newcomers, students and outbound travel companies would be part of this year’s event and the latter would give out attractive travel packages to Sri Lankans visiting the event.
SLTPB Managing Director Sutheash Balasubramaniam said that this event was an “excellent opportunity” for tourism growth in Sri Lanka.
The event will culminate with a gala fellowship event for new entrants into the industry to meet industry veterans and awards will be given out to Best Stall Creations and Lifetime Achievement for leading lights in the industry.
There would be stalls given to the public sector free-of-charge like the Wildlife Department, the Central Cultural Fund and the Tourist Police in addition to the Universities of Colombo, Uva Wellassa, Kelaniya and Sabaragamuwa in a bid to encourage students to study tourism. “New Millennial” think tank plenary discussions would also be held alongside the exhibition that would focus on the way forward in line with new global trends; and also a seminar on small and medium company finance management. The event would also provide visitors with music, entertainment and a children’s play area to attract youth and families .