“Sri Lanka is setting to achieve foreign exchange earnings of US$ two billion by the end of 2014 and the year 2013 brought in revenue of US $ 1.7 billion from tourists, with a 30% scale of development when compared to last year. This shows a path of progress for the country in terms of the tourism industry and the Sancharaka Udawa 2014 will set a new high and bring in opportunities for stakeholders and end users,” Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General, D. S. Jayaweera said.

For the fourth consecutive year, the ‘Sancharaka Udawa 2014’ exhibition is set to be held in June 27-28 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), being this year’s chosen venue. The event is being conducted in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Sri Lanka Tourism (SLTPB). The event will be supported by Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organizers (SLAPCEO).

SLAITO will also be holding a Special General Meeting in parallel to the exhibition on June 27, with participation from key players in the tourism sector. “The venue change this year will provide exhibitors and visitors with the ability to interact and share knowledge in a conveniently organized, comfortable and spacious environment. The exhibition will also be graced by outbound tour operators at this ‘Tourism products meet mart’ ”, SLAITO President, Mahen Kariyawasam said at the launch ceremony of Sancharaka Udawa.

The event forms a platform for stakeholders in the tourism sector as well as the ability to experience and educate themselves about enhanced products and services and the main objective of the event is to provide more exposure to tourism related entities into mainstream tourism. The opening day of the event is being segmented into two time frames where the traders will be able to interact from 10 am to 3pm on June 27 and the public visitors will be allowed into the venue from 3pm up until 8pm. On June 28, the entire day will be dedicated to both, trade and public entities.

The public are being encouraged to identify and embrace the aspect of local tourism such as the new concept of homestays which is slowly catching on and which will be highlighted in this year’s event. Links will be established between exhibitors from service providers such as hotels, restaurants, diving and safari services, MICE facilities etc. Foreign buyers from South East Asian countries are also expected to participate.

Visitors to the exhibition will include government office personnel, inbound tour operators, general public, destination management companies and prospective business people among many others categories. The aim of SLTPB is to enhance the event’s opportunities and turn this venture into an internationally recognized event, giving the country a wider scope from the event.

Speaking about the marketing and promotional strategies that the tourism authorities are set to work on, SLTPB are on the works of initiating master campaigns which is in the pipeline.

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/sancharaka-udawa-new-opportunities-travel-stakeholders