Cinnamon Grand eyes new markets to promote MICE tourism in SL

Iconic hotel celebrates 20 years of grandeur and hospitality PIC BY KITHSIRI DE MEL

• India, Russia, China, European and East Asian nations among top 5 targeted markets

By Shannine Daniel

Cinnamon Grand Colombo aims to capitalise on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism to expand its reach in new markets, Cinnamon Grand Director Sales and Marketing Imran Noordeen said.

He shared that Cinnamon Grand, along with the other Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts properties, has identified five key overseas markets for MICE tourism: India, Russia, Europe, China and other East Asian nations.

“We will mainly be catering to large-scale volumes of guests to promote MICE tourism in Sri Lanka while also bearing in mind transient business,” Noordeen said at a press conference marking Cinnamon Grand’s 20th anniversary.

He added that transient business, which involves tourists staying for short periods in one location, is largely driven by online platforms, where Cinnamon Grand maintains significant visibility.

Noordeen noted the group is focused on preventing MICE business from shifting to competing destinations such as India, Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam. One initiative includes partnerships with SriLankan Airlines to promote Sri Lanka as a MICE destination.

The hotel has also undertaken major renovations in line with the anniversary celebrations. The relaunch of Nuga Gama, dubbed ‘the Village within the City’, is among the most prominent, offering facilities for MICE events, local conferences, meetings and other gatherings.

Cinnamon Grand features 10 banquet rooms for MICE tourism, with the Mahogany Room being the largest, accommodating up to 650 participants.

Atrium and Oak Room are also suitable for business events. Cheers Pub and Breeze Bar were renovated as part of the anniversary upgrades.

Speaking at the media gathering, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Chief Operating Officer Kamal Munasinghe said that Cinnamon Grand has transformed Colombo’s food and beverage sector.

“We had the largest number of food and beverage outlets, until our sister hotel Cinnamon Life opened recently. The Colombo community has a great attachment to this hotel, for social as well as business engagements.”