Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market at its recently concluded ‘India Showcase 2025’, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing appeal to Indian travellers. With a strong push on MICE and destination weddings, and a spotlight on Cinnamon Life Colombo, the group aims to position itself as the preferred hospitality partner for Indian outbound travel.
Words by Surbhi Sharma
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts recently wrapped up its multi-city ‘India Showcase 2025’, hosting impactful events across Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The showcase attracted more than 300 stakeholders from India’s travel trade, MICE, weddings and corporate travel sectors. The outreach not only reinforced Cinnamon’s brand presence but also created a strong pipeline of potential business opportunities from India, its largest source market.
The events spotlighted the brand’s diverse offerings across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, aiming to deepen engagement with Indian planners and agents while presenting Sri Lanka as a compelling alternative to other short-haul international destinations.
India: A cornerstone market for growth
With Indians accounting for approximately 20 per cent of Cinnamon’s overall guest volume, the hospitality brand is placing strong emphasis on the India market. Radhey Tawar, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, said, “We see this number growing even more in 2025, especially in Colombo, which is witnessing a surge in tourism-related infrastructure.”
With Sri Lanka expecting 2025 to be a record year for tourist arrivals, Cinnamon’s India-focused strategy is geared towards capitalising on the momentum. “Our roadshows, direct partnerships with airlines and agents and expanded sales presence in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru are all aligned toward driving business from India”, Tawar said.
Cinnamon Life: A destination in itself
At the heart of this strategy is Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, a $1.3 billion integrated resort in Colombo. Opened in late 2023, the project is Sri Lanka’s largest private investment and is expected to redefine Colombo’s skyline and tourism value proposition. Johan Aschan, Area VP, Sri Lanka Resorts Sector and General Manager, Cinnamon Bentota Beach, said, “Cinnamon Life is not just a hotel; it’s a destination.”
With over 800 rooms, a convention centre, a high-end retail mall, an international casino operated in partnership with Melco Resorts, it is being marketed as the next big MICE and luxury destination for Indian travellers. “City of Dreams will offer Indian tourists everything they love — entertainment, shopping, casinos and luxury stays — just a short flight away,” added Tawar.
The casino, launching later this year, is anticipated to be South Asia’s largest, making the destination even more attractive for Indian high-spenders and incentive groups.
Weddings, MICE & leisure in full swing
Cinnamon Bentota Beach, part of the brand’s premium Signature Collection, is fast emerging as a favourite among Indian wedding planners. “We have had more than 20 weddings last year and expect that number to grow,” said Aschan.
On the MICE front, Colombo’s city hotels and Cinnamon Life are seeing rising interest for large-scale conferences and corporate offsites. “We have hosted over 15 Fam trips this year alone, bringing top Indian corporates, wedding planners and tour operators to experience the products first-hand,” said Tawar.
Collabs & connectivity fuel expansion
The group is working closely with SriLankan Airlines, Indigo and Air India to improve air connectivity and expand access from tier I and II Indian cities. “We are having active discussions with airlines to explore new routes and increased frequency, especially as Cinnamon Life and the casino open later this year,” Tawar noted.
