“We would like to leverage the Cinnamon brand for international expansion. We have started evaluating the countries and partners that will go with our brand,” says Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Chief Commercial Officer Christian Pertl
| Photo Credit: N. Anand
Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts (CH&R), one among the biggest luxurious resort chains in Sri Lanka, is planning to develop its footprint beyond Sri Lanka and Maldives and has began evaluating choices, mentioned its chief business officer Christian Pertl.
“We would like to leverage the Cinnamon brand for international expansion. We have started evaluating the countries and partners that will go with our brand,” he mentioned in an interview.
Right now, CH&R has 15 properties — eight resorts and three resorts in Sri Lanka with 2,100 keys and 4 resorts in Maldives with 450 keys. It is eyeing India, Middle East and Asia for growth.
“We have a clear mandate and are looking at opportunities and no time frame has been fixed. Our strategy is to have asset light model,” he mentioned.
He additionally mentioned that they’ve enough land financial institution within the island nation and can be seeking to monetise it both for growth or for organising three way partnership tasks.
CH&R is planning to open its 16 th property, Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort, within the island nation by the second half of CY24.
“It is going to be a game changer and place Cinnamon among the top luxury brands in Sri Lanka. It will have residential towers, mall, office towers, two hotels with 800 keys and Casino. Currently, we are looking to tie-up with best operator to run the casino,” he mentioned.
Asserting that CY24 guarantees to be a great yr for Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality sector post-COVID and financial disaster, he mentioned that Maldives tourism is doing good with over 80% occupancy price whereas Sri Lanka tourism is ramping up.
“We are here to tell you that Sri Lanka is safe and has enough tremendous potential for growth. Indian tourists accounts for 15% of total arrivals and their contribution to Sri Lanka is above 13%,” he mentioned.
CH&R shall be participating in Arabian Travel Mart to be held in May 2023.
