Tuesday, 13 May 2014 00:01
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Cheranka Mendis
Fourth edition of Sri Lanka’s biggest tourism product mart, Sancharaka Udawa will take place in June this year attracting foreign sellers from India, Maldives and South East Asia.
With potential to grow in to a large scale international event, much like the fairs local hospitality trade partakes in, in various parts of the world; the tourism mart brings together a large number of buyers and sellers and acts as a platform for stakeholder networking.
Organised by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Sri Lanka Tourism, Sancharaka Udawa is set to be held on 27 and 28 of June at Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre. Previously held at the BMICH, the move has been decided on to give more space to exhibitors and have a large number of exhibitors. Over 200 stalls are anticipated along with a special pavilion for outbound tourism service providers.
With one booth priced at Rs. 15,000 for non-SLAITO members and Rs. 8,000 for associate members, 60% of the stalls have already been sold out, organisers said yesterday. Concurrently to the event, the Special General Meeting of SLAITO will also be held on 27 June at 9 a.m. at the same venue. This would ensure the attendance of key players in the tourism industry at Sancharaka Udawa 2014.
The event will be open to the public from 3 p.m. on Friday and whole day on Saturday. According to organisers, the event will provide opportunities for those less exposed to mainstream tourism, creating a platform for small and medium service providers to network and build vital links with tour operators and enter the wider spectrum of the industry. The expected benefits of this endeavour will be a substantial increase in transportation related logistics, accommodation and resource persons with foreign language skills, and entertainment activities.
