The sixth edition of the Sancharaka Udawa will be held from the 27 -29th May at the BMICH. Billed as Sri Lanka’s only tourism fair, the Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) together with Sri Lanka Tourism are the main organisers of this event. This exhibition of products and services related to the tourism industry aims to create a platform for all the tourism industry stakeholders to meet and network to enhance the awareness of their product and services. 

Taking part in this exhibition for the second time Druvi Gunasekera who manages several boutique hotels and also publishes the plush industry bible ‘Sri Lanka’s Luxury Accommodation Guide’ is of the opinion that this event is a good opportunity to showcase lesser known and new properties. “Especially if the property owners are non hoteliers then this helps them  to meet people in the trade and forge new relationships with agents. There is a large component of local travel agents who come to familiarise themselves with the new properties.” 

Chandana Punchihewa (third from left in above picture), a director of the rapidly growing Hangover Hostels chain is exhibiting his product at this event for the first time. Identifying a niche in the market for budget accommodation his Hangover Hostel chain provides luxury budget accommodation for travellers. “Budget hostels are a relatively new concept in Sri Lanka. When you mention the word hostel many people have a fairly negative view of  it, so through this exposition we are hoping to change the perception of the hostel concept.  We want to show the visiting agents that our hostels are luxurious and on par with international budget hostels so that they can promote them to prospective tourists to Sri Lanka.” 

Sumi Attapattu, the Managing Director of inbound travel company Saffron Island who is attending the fair as a spectator said “As a destination management specialist, marketing the destination to the overseas tour operators, this fair is important for us to enhance our product knowledge. However, I hope there would be more foreign participation this year as it has been lacking in the past years” 
With Sri Lanka making its mark as a “must visit” destination in many international publications, it is encouraging  to witness stakeholders getting together to promote their industry specific products. Not many in the industry can afford to travel to the huge international fairs to exhibit their products so these fairs are ideal to promote local tourism. Perhaps with the right promotion the next Sancharaka Udawa will attract more overseas visitors who will help to direct more tourism to Sri Lanka. 

Text and travel photographs by Tina Edward Gunawardhana