Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts îl numește pe Hishan Singhawansa în funcția de CEO și acordă prioritate Indiei în strategia de expansiune

Strategic Leadership Change at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has taken a bold step by appointing Hishan Singhawansa as its Chief Executive Officer, marking a fresh direction for the hospitality group. This leadership change comes at a time when India emerges as a crucial market, with visitor arrivals increasing by 30% in the first half of 2025. Positioned to tap into the flourishing demand from Indian leisure, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), and wedding travellers, the brand is gearing up for an exciting phase of growth.

Why India Is Central to Growth

India stands out as Sri Lanka’s largest source of international tourists, making it a natural focal point for Cinnamon’s expansion. The country’s proximity offers a major advantage — just about 90 minutes from India’s southern metros like Chennai and Bengaluru, and under four hours from northern hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai. Such convenient travel times mean that Indian visitors can easily enjoy the island’s attractions without the hassle of extensive flying time.

Singhawansa emphasizes how Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts aims to provide a blend of luxury and authentic lifestyle experiences that deeply resonate with Indian travellers. Whether it’s a family vacation, a corporate conference, or an elaborate wedding celebration, the group is ready to cater to diverse demands with scale and consistency.

The Game-Changer: Cinnamon Life Colombo

At the heart of Cinnamon’s ambitious plans lies Cinnamon Life Colombo — a colossal integrated resort project valued at USD 1.2 billion. With 687 rooms and extensive MICE facilities spanning 160,000 square feet, it is slated to rival the likes of premier regional event destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai.

The resort’s MICE section can host up to 5,000 delegates, making it an ideal venue for large corporate events, international weddings, and conferences — segments where Indian travellers have shown strong interest.

Investing in People and the Planet

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts isn’t just focusing on infrastructure; it’s also investing heavily in talent development and sustainability. Its Cinnamon Hospitality Academy is instrumental in training local workforce to global standards, ensuring high-quality services that travellers demand.

An inspiring initiative named EmpowHer aims to increase female participation in the workforce by 30% over three years, fostering more inclusive work environments. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Nature Trails expands the group’s offerings into experiential and nature-based tourism, such as whale watching and wildlife safaris—perfectly aligned with the rising trend of sustainable tourism among Indian travellers.

Global Reach Through Partnerships and Loyalty

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is the only Sri Lankan brand to be part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), which offers access to over 30 million loyalty members via the Cinnamon Discovery programme. With 17 properties across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, this membership amplifies its reach within the Indian outbound market, attracting a wide spectrum of travellers seeking reliable and premium experiences.

Key Benefits at a Glance

• Strong focus on Indian leisure, MICE, and wedding travel segments
• Largest integrated resort in South Asia at Cinnamon Life Colombo
• Comprehensive workforce training and empowerment programs
• Expanding eco-tourism through Cinnamon Nature Trails
• Global loyalty access through Cinnamon Discovery and GHA

What It Means for Transfers and Taxi Services

Such expansion and focus on India imply increased traveller flows to Sri Lanka, particularly to Colombo and surrounding areas. For visitors, having access to reliable and personalized transport options becomes crucial, whether for airport pickups, MICE event transfers, or wedding group travels. Platforms like GetTransfer.com play an essential role here by allowing travellers to choose specific vehicles tailored to their needs, with full transparency on details like make, model, and driver ratings, providing peace of mind that traditional booking aggregators may lack.

Putting It All Together

The direction Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is taking under new CEO Hishan Singhawansa highlights a smart blend of growth, innovation, and social responsibility, with India as a pillar of its strategy. The emphasis on large-scale integrated resorts, rich cultural experiences, and expanding sustainable eco-tourism perfectly matches evolving traveller expectations from one of South Asia’s largest outbound markets.

While insights and reviews offer valuable guidance, nothing beats experiencing these services firsthand. GetTransfer.com enables travellers to hire verified cars with drivers from trusted providers at reasonable prices, ensuring hassle-free, comfortable rides tailored to every journey. The platform’s extensive vehicle options, affordability, and user-friendly booking process empower travellers to plan with confidence—no surprises, just smooth transfers.

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Rezumat

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ appointment of Hishan Singhawansa as CEO marks a focused expansion toward the Indian market, boosted by a 30% growth in arrivals and the flagship Cinnamon Life Colombo project. Investments in workforce training, women’s empowerment, and eco-tourism underpin the group’s commitment to quality and sustainability. With integration into the Global Hotel Alliance improving loyalty reach, the brand is well positioned for the future.

For travellers heading to Sri Lanka, especially from India, the rise in tourism promises more opportunities for tailored transfer services. Whether it’s airport rides, event transport, or leisure transfers, platforms like GetTransfer.com offer exact, transparent, and affordable taxi solutions with trusted drivers and a vast selection of vehicles, complementing the hospitality sector’s growth with seamless mobility support.