The 11th edition of Sancharaka Udawa, Sri Lanka’s premier travel and tourism expo, concluded successfully at the BMICH in Colombo on May 18, 2024, drawing record participation from exhibitors and visitors alike. Held on May 17th and 18th, 2024, the event featured over 240 stalls and more than 500 exhibitors, highlighting the vibrancy and potential of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
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.
Sancharaka Udawa 2024 is 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.
Sancharaka Udawa 2024 also featured an engaging career guidance meet mart aimed at students in travel, tourism, and event management. The event included seminars and job interviews, offering valuable opportunities for students to interact with industry professionals.
The event underscored the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector. From homestays to three-star hotels, SMEs play a crucial role in the industry. SLAITO President Nishad Wijethunga highlighted the growing popularity of homestays in regions such as Ella, Down South, Knuckles, and Kandy. The Northern Province also saw a boost in both domestic and international tourism, with high occupancy rates in its 170 hotels.
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.
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.
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