Jose KunnappallyMumbai: In conversation with Dileep Mudadeniya, Brand Marketing Head, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is making waves in the Indian market with its assortment of offers and luxurious facilities catering to a motley segment? It has been reported that Cinnamon is looking to set up two hotels in India by 2020. Where are you with this?
India is a high-priority market in our expansion plan. Our team is looking at this market with huge interest. Once we find the right party, we will make the announcement accordingly.
Have you identified the cities in India where you will have a presence?
As per the expansion plan, Cinnamon will be looking at all major cities ranging from Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru, all of which are key priorities.
How do you rate the Indian hospitality industry?
India’s travel and tourism industry is growing exponentially every year owing to its rich cultural and historical heritage, and diverse ecology, terrains and places of attraction. With regard to the business travel market, India is slated to be ranked among the top five by 2030 as business travel spending is expected to triple by 2030 from $30 billion in 2015. Being such a lucrative market, we as an international hotel chain are planning to expand our visibility in the Indian market.
What segments are you eying to attract in India? Is this predominantly MICE?
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts have attracted around 28,280 visitors in cumulative terms for the financial year 2017-2018 as of now. This figure predominantly consists of MICE movements.
Are you planning any packages with SriLankan Airlines or other carriers to promote travel to SL and stay with Cinnamon?
SriLankan Airlines as the national carrier and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts as the largest four and five-star hotel chain in Sri Lanka have had many opportunities for collaboration, and have supported each other over the years. Our partnership is not limited to travel packages and tours alone, but towards the promotion of travel and tourism in general through events and competitions that help to enhance the image and offerings of Sri Lanka.
One of our recent collaborations was titled Cinnamon Island Weddings in partnership with SriLankan Airlines wherein a winning couple would receive an all-expense paid dream wedding for 50 friends and family in Sri Lanka, courtesy SriLankan Airlines. This event will be held in June. We also partnered for the first-ever West-End/ Broadway production held in Colombo this year, an event organised to enhance the entertainment landscape of Colombo. Many more such productions are expected to take place in the near future.
Is Cinnamon creating any unique product/experience especially for weddings and honeymoons, and adventure tourism? Can you elaborate?
The ‘Cinnamon Island Weddings’ is one of our prime products. Owing to the geographic dispersion of our properties, we have the advantage of offering a diversity of locations from romantic beachside ceremonies at sunset to vintage garden parties to the more sophisticated indoor venues. Cinnamon Island Weddings delivers a complete tropical island experience through the idyllic coastlines, lush jungles, rugged mountains, and around 10 themed properties. We also have a personalised execution capability wherein we help plan a wedding to its last detail, right from expert assistance, suggesting innovative themes and designs, catering, transport, budgets to the smallest support services.
What has been the response to Cinnamon Life – The Sound of Music? Can you share details about the other Cinnamon Life events planned in 2018?
Cinnamon Life is an integrated development initiative by Sri Lanka’s premier listed conglomerate, the John Keells Group. This city within a city will comprise an 800-room hotel, an array of entertainment facilities, premium residential apartments, retail and entertainment mall, office spaces, and many other attractions.
The iconic design by Cecil Balmond will span across 4.5 million sq. ft. and is envisioned to be the epicentre of modern South Asia. Colombo is envisaged to become a hub for entertainment, and Cinnamon Life will be at its core. Hence, we will promote events leading up to its opening in 2020. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s ‘Sound of Music’ is considered one of the most popular musical productions and we are honoured to bring it to Sri Lanka for the first time. It was also the very first time that this musical was performed in South Asia.
How do you differentiate between Cinnamon and some of the other big hospitality brands in SL?
Our most important goal is to create inspiring moments. We combine a contemporary Sri Lankan outlook with best-in-class service and modern conveniences. Launched in 2005, the chain currently houses 13 properties, including three city properties in Colombo and seven resorts around Sri Lanka. This is indeed our USP.
How many visitors do you host in a year? Can you elaborate on the business growth?
With regard to the Indian market, this consists of MICE and leisure movements (small weddings). The incentive for any guest is the 10 functional hotels and resorts that we offer across the island. They can enjoy the blend of true urban experience with the idyllic elements of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure and beach in our resorts.
Is there a new Cinnamon property that we could possibly showcase?
Cinnamon Bey Beruwela, the latest addition to the Cinnamon family, sits on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, with close proximity to Colombo. Consisting of lush gardens overlooking vistas of the Indian Ocean, this venue offers the perfect location for group events, ceremonies and celebrations. It is also an ideal destination to conduct MICE events with conference facilities available for business/MICE clients along with resorts near popular tourism sites and water sports.
