The 13th Edition of Sancharaka Udawa 2026, Sri Lanka’s foremost Travel & Tourism Exhibition, is scheduled for *15th and 16th May 2026 with the participation of foreign hosted buyers. This was announced at a press briefing held at The Blue, Hilton Colombo with the presence of esteemed travel and tourism officials alongside industry stakeholders.
Sancharaka Udawa is Sri Lanka’s only dedicated travel and tourism exhibition and the 2025 edition of this prestigious exhibition was inaugurated by His Excellency the President, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, underscoring its national importance to the tourism sector.
Sancharaka Udawa is organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) as the main event partner, was officially announced by Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, President of SLAITO and Mr. Nishad Wijetunga, Chairman Organizing Committee, Sancharaka Udawa 2026, in the presence of Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) & Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
This premier exhibition provides an exclusive platform for both B2B and B2C sectors, fostering engagement between industry stakeholders and pertinent government bodies. For further information and booth reservations, visit www.sancharakaudawa.com
Scheduled from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on May 15th & 16th, 2026, Sancharaka Udawa anticipates over 250 exhibitors and 300+ Stalls. The event will accommodate businesses of all sizes within the tourism sector. Day 1 of the exhibition will see a Panel Discussion on Tourism Marketing with International Experts and conclude with a Business Gathering, offering networking opportunities for both newcomers and veterans in the industry, alongside an award ceremony honoring the Best Stall Creations and sponsors.
The primary aim of the exhibition is to establish a networking platform for small and medium tourism service providers within the industry, facilitating connections with tour operators and their integration into the broader tourism landscape. The anticipated outcome includes a significant surge in bookings for regional small-scale tourism service providers.
Moreover, exhibitors stand to gain numerous benefits, including enhanced brand visibility across Sri Lanka’s tourism marketing platforms, reaffirming Sri Lanka Tourism’s commitment to industry capacity building and infrastructure enhancement.
To foster stronger ties between industry players and governmental bodies, tourism-related government departments will be provided complimentary stalls. Additionally, several universities, including University College of Jaffna, University of Uva Wellassa, University of Rajarata, University of Sabaragamuwa, University of Colombo, Colombo University Alumni, University of the Visuals & Performing Arts and University of Kelaniya have joined as knowledge partners for the event, further strengthening the event’s focus on youth participation and academic engagement.
For the first time in 13 years, we are proud to welcome two prestigious Diamond Sponsors – Araliya Group of Hotels and United Motors – marking a significant milestone for the event. Their support reflects the growing prominence and impact of this platform within the travel and tourism industry.
We are also delighted to have Lankapay on board for the 2nd consecutive year as our Platinum Sponsor, while Aitken Spence Travels and Browns Hotels join us as Gold Sponsors, further strengthening the event with the support of some of the most respected brands in the industry. We are proud to announce Hilton Colombo as our Official Hospitality Partner and Mount Lavinia Hotel as our Catering Partner for the exhibition.
The event will kick off with the highly anticipated SLAITO SGM, setting the stage for a dynamic and engaging exhibition. This year’s exhibition will host over 100 international agents, offering unparalleled networking opportunities for local industry stakeholders. The program will also include specialized workshops for tourism authorities and students, insightful panel discussions with industry leaders, and dedicated B2B meetings aimed at fostering meaningful business collaborations within the travel and tourism sector.
A robust marketing campaign is underway to ensure the success of Sancharaka Udawa 2026, with event management entrusted by SLAITO to CDC Events & Travels Pvt. Ltd. together with Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions.
With the burgeoning significance of the tourism and hospitality sector, this year’s event is poised to attract even more sponsors, building on the momentum of previous years.
