The 11th edition of Sancharaka Udawa concluded successfully at the BMICH in Colombo, drawing record participation from exhibitors and visitors alike. Held on May 17th and 18th, 2024, this year’s event featured over 240 stalls and more than 500 exhibitors, highlighting the vibrancy and potential of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
Sri Lanka is gaining significant global recognition as the country recovers from recent crises, stated Mr Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), while inaugurating the 11th edition of Sancharaka Udawa at the BMICH in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Mr Gajabahu highlighted the remarkable progress achieved over the past two years, noting that the current positive momentum, combined with ongoing projects, is poised to help Sri Lanka surpass its target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals for 2023. He emphasized that this achievement would surpass Sri Lanka’s previous record of 2.3 million arrivals set in 2018.
According to the latest statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) recently, Sri Lanka’s Tourist Arrivals surged by 106.6% in 2023 and the island nation welcomed 1,487,303 tourists in 2023, marking a significant increase of 106.6 per cent from the previous year. The data revealed that 210,352 tourists arrived in December alone, with India, Russia, Britain, Germany, Australia, and China being the top source markets for the month.
In comparison, Sri Lanka recorded 719,978 tourist arrivals for the entire year of 2022. Tourism, a crucial foreign revenue generator for Sri Lanka, saw a substantial boost partly due to the government’s decision in late November to waive visa fees for nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. This initiative aimed further to stimulate the tourism sector.
As of February 25, 2024, Sri Lanka had welcomed 191,000 tourists, compared to 107,639 in February 2023, with January surpassing 200,000 visitors. This surge underscores the island’s appeal and the effectiveness of initiatives like Sancharaka Udawa in promoting tourism. Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, emphasized the critical role of SMEs, stating, “SMEs play a big role, from homestays to under three-star categories. We must develop those markets as well.” He also highlighted the popularity of domestic flights from Colombo to Palali and inter-city trains among both local and international visitors, especially Indian tourists.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sancharaka Udawa 2024 provided a vital platform for small and medium-sized tourism service providers. The event facilitated networking opportunities, allowing exhibitors to showcase their products and services while building crucial connections within the industry, fostering growth and collaboration.
Recognized as Sri Lanka’s foremost travel and tourism fair, Sancharaka Udawa 2024 provided an exclusive platform for both B2B and B2C sectors. With over 250 exhibitors and an attendance exceeding 10,000 visitors, the expo featured a wide range of businesses, including outbound tourism stakeholders such as travel agents and airlines. The event concluded with a celebratory gathering, which included networking opportunities and an award ceremony honouring the best stall creations.
The primary aim of Sancharaka Udawa 2024 was to create a robust networking platform for small and medium-sized service providers within the tourism industry. The event facilitated connections with tour operators and integrated regional service providers into the broader tourism landscape. Exhibitors benefited from enhanced brand visibility across Sri Lanka’s tourism marketing platforms, reinforcing the commitment to industry capacity building and infrastructure enhancement. To foster stronger ties between industry players and government entities, complimentary stalls were provided to tourism-related government departments, including provincial tourism bodies and tourist police. Universities such as Colombo, Uva Wellassa, and Rajarata also offered free stalls to encourage student interaction with industry professionals.
Managed by CDC Events & Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions, Sancharaka Udawa 2024 successfully showcased the best of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, fostering connections and promoting industry growth. For more information, visit Sancharaka Udawa. The event was held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Halls at BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 17th and 18th, 2024.
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