FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts has introduced a series of initiatives designed to enhance Colombo’s “soft power,” with the goal of establishing Sri Lanka’s capital as a prominent center for entertainment and tourism in the region.
Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships at John Keells Group, highlighted that Colombo currently attracts only 28% of the nation’s total tourist arrivals. In contrast, other competing regions see about 70% of tourists visiting the capital before exploring other areas of the country.
The company has launched the Cinnamon Box Office (CBO), a comprehensive ticketing and event platform intended to create an all-encompassing ecosystem. This platform includes services such as event consultation, online marketing, dynamic mapping, and an artificial intelligence tool designed for predictive sales analysis.
Utilizing its Destination Event Calendar, the platform leverages AI to automatically compile and categorize entertainment options available across the island, assisting visitors in organizing their travel plans effectively.
CBO is already experiencing significant success, having generated over 400 million rupees in revenue and facilitated more than 10,000 ticket sales to date. The platform is also set to feature international events, including “This Is Michael – Relive the Legend,” a tribute concert to Michael Jackson, which will be produced by the Spanish entertainment firm Sira Música and feature Brazilian artist Lenny Jay. This concert is scheduled for November 8 and 9 at The Podium, City of Dreams Sri Lanka.
Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President – Colombo Hotels at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of experiences in defining modern destinations. He stated, “Our vision has never been to construct just another hotel, but to develop a destination where hospitality, entertainment, dining, retail, and lifestyle converge.”
Furthermore, Cinnamon Nature Trails will present “Jewels Beneath the Waves” on August 29, featuring the internationally renowned underwater photographer Eric Goh. This event aims to showcase Sri Lanka’s rich marine biodiversity and the opportunities for shipwreck diving off Colombo’s coast.
Chitral Jayatilake, Vice President and Head of Cinnamon Nature Trails, remarked on the potential of the coastal waters near Colombo, mentioning, “Just outside the city, there are over 18 dive sites with wrecks dating back to the Second World War, where visitors can explore breathtaking reefs.”
In addition to its entertainment offerings, Cinnamon is also collaborating with the Chefs Guild of Lanka to secure the Worldchefs Congress 2030, further promoting the culinary talents of the island.
