With Sri Lanka poised for a record tourism year in 2025, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is steering the momentum with its mega $1.3 billion Cinnamon Life project in Colombo. In an exclusive interaction with ETTravelWorld, Radhey Tawar, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinnamon Hotels, shares how the hospitality group is betting big on India — its largest source market — while expanding its footprint in destination weddings, MICE tourism, and sustainable travel.
Cinnamon Life: A Game-Changing $1.3 Billion Project
Dubbed as the most ambitious private development in Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Life is a flagship undertaking by John Keells Holdings — the parent company of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. The project, which Tawar calls “a game-changer not just for Cinnamon, but for the entire Colombo skyline,” includes two residential towers, an office tower, a luxury hotel, and a large-scale entertainment complex.
The hotel component, branded as Cinnamon Life City, boasts 687 rooms, six speciality restaurants, and over 12 bar and beverage outlets. What truly distinguishes the property, however, is its 160,000 sq. ft. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) space, and a 175,000 sq. ft. casino, making it the largest gaming facility in South Asia. The casino, managed by Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is already drawing significant attention in the Asian gaming circuit.
“We’ve partnered with Melco, one of the world’s top five casino operators, to deliver a gaming experience on par with Macau or Manila,” Tawar shared. “This makes Cinnamon Life a complete entertainment destination — one that caters not only to business travellers but also luxury tourists and high rollers from across Asia.”
An integrated mall adjoining the complex is slated for opening in Q3 2025, completing the multi-phase development.
India: Cinnamon’s Top Performing Market
Tawar revealed that Indian travellers make up 20% of all arrivals across Cinnamon’s 17 properties, making India the single-largest source market for the group. This figure surpasses Sri Lanka’s national average of 16-17% for Indian tourist arrivals.
“With the introduction of visa-free entry, we’ve seen a major uptick in Indian footfall. And now with Cinnamon Life in the mix, Colombo is no longer just a transit or business city — it’s becoming a full-fledged leisure destination for Indians,” he noted.
Recognising the importance of market proximity, Cinnamon is expanding its India footprint with new sales offices in Chennai and Bengaluru, in addition to its existing presence in Mumbai and Delhi.
Destination Weddings and High-End MICE Take Centre Stage
Among the fastest-growing segments for Cinnamon are destination weddings and high-end MICE events, particularly at Cinnamon Bentota Beach and the newly opened Cinnamon Life City.
“We are witnessing a strong surge in luxury weddings from India, especially at Cinnamon Bentota Beach, thanks to its unique riverside and seaside confluence,” Tawar said. “Cinnamon Life, too, is now being actively considered for weddings — something Colombo didn’t attract earlier.”
The group is also seeing increased interest in corporate off-sites and high-end incentive travel from both India and the Middle East. “The Indian market is evolving and increasingly looking for immersive, high-value experiences, and our properties are well-positioned to cater to this.”
“Signature Weekends” with Deepa Mehta
To elevate its luxury and experiential quotient, Cinnamon is rolling out a unique campaign titled “Signature Weekends” in collaboration with internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta. The series will launch at Cinnamon Life and Cinnamon Bentota Beach and promises curated experiences combining art, cinema, culture, and culinary journeys.
“This initiative speaks to the discerning Indian traveller — someone who seeks meaning, depth and exclusivity in their travel,” Tawar said. “Signature Weekends will offer intimate interactions, screenings, and specially crafted menus to go beyond the usual luxury stay.”
Cinnamon’s diverse portfolio is tiered across three verticals — Signature Selection (luxury), Cinnamon Hotels (mid-upper scale), and By Cinnamon (value-driven functional stays). This allows the brand to serve a wide spectrum of Indian travellers.
“The Indian market is not monolithic. While some are looking for exclusive wellness retreats and curated experiences, others are on quick getaways or spiritual tourism circuits,” Tawar explained. “Our hotels like Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Cinnamon Bay serve cultural and wildlife interests, while Colombo-based properties like Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside cater to business and city breaks.”
Sustainability at the Core
Cinnamon’s development philosophy is deeply intertwined with sustainability. The brand is committed to eco-conscious practices like rainforest restoration projects, community empowerment programs, waste and water recycling, and carbon-neutral initiatives at its properties.
“Sustainability is not just a talking point for us — it’s embedded in our governance model. Our conservation projects support both the environment and the communities that host our hotels,” Tawar said.
Future Outlook: Eyes on 2.6 Million Arrivals
With Sri Lanka setting a target of 2.6 million tourist arrivals in 2025, Cinnamon Hotels is optimistic about maintaining its edge, especially with a projected 20-25% increase in Indian travellers.
Tawar concluded with confidence: “Cinnamon Life is not just a hotel; it’s an ecosystem that’s reshaping Colombo as a luxury destination. We are prepared to lead this transformation and welcome the world — starting with India.”
