The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) is organizing this year’s “Meet Mart” scheduled to be held on January 31, 2012 at the Ceylon Continental in a bid to target those unexposed in the industry to join mainstream tourism.
It would provide an opportunity for companies and individuals with unique offerings who fall out of the category of large scale businesses, a chance to showcase their products and services within the industry and to the public. This year’s event is based on the theme “Tourism Opportunities”.
This event would give space for newcomers with a passion for tourism, SLAITO President Nilmin Nanayakkara said at the media briefing organized in this regard.
He noted that this was carried out with the intention of filling the gap and shortage between showcasing and marketing products and services of big players and that of the small and medium scale businesses. The latter he noted were usually “left in the lurch despite having unique products and services.”
Participants will include promoters of villas, boutique hotels, small scale guest houses, bungalows and heritage properties as well as home-stays in strategic locations with potential for tourism together with restaurants at mid-way points in cities and small towns; bars, cafes and coffee houses.
The event will also play host to sports and soft adventure providers offering water sports, boat trips, cycle trails, white water rafting, mountain climbing, camping sites and dormitory-type accommodation in wildlife parks and all other areas within the adventure sports circuit. In addition, the need for quality transport providers will provide an opportunity for vehicle owners, wildlife jeep transport agents or owners, rail transport providers a unique opportunity to meet exhibit and promote their services to the industry.
Sri Lanka Professional Conference Exhibition and Event Organizers President Imran Hassan said the objective was to provide a forum for those with limited exposure within the mainstream industry.
The event will be held with the aim of creating a good network within the industry itself to help serve travellers better by providing a link between all players interested in investing in travel and tourism in the country.
State banks and insurance companies will provide advice and consultancy services for visitors to the event.
This meet mart will be conducted alongside the general membership of the SLAITO and will be opened to the public from 3.00pm – 9.00pm.
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