Since its launch, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka has quickly redefined Colombo’s hospitality landscape, positioning itself as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort and a destination in its own right.
In this exclusive interaction with K. Rohit, Sanjiv Hulugalle, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Cinnamon Life, speaks about the evolving Indian traveller, rising MICE demand, the role of accessibility and value, and how the integrated resort is transforming Colombo into a stay-worthy destination rather than just a transit point.
Q. Please talk us through the demand you are seeing from the Indian market since the opening of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka.
A. Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka was conceptualised nearly 14 years ago by John Keells Holdings as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort. It was an extremely ambitious project and, despite numerous challenges over the years, we persevered and successfully brought the City of Dreams to life.
As an integrated resort, it is truly a city within a city. The focus has been on creating one-of-a-kind, curated experiences for all segments of travellers, including leisure guests, corporate travellers, families, and a significant share of MICE business. It is a destination where guests can comfortably spend an entire week without needing to step out into the city.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. With an investment of US $1.4 billion, this was a landmark project for Sri Lanka and unlike anything previously undertaken in the country. Importantly, it has opened up new source markets for us, with India emerging as the most important one. We are now attracting Indian travellers who may not have previously considered Colombo or Sri Lanka as a destination.
Cinnamon Life can be described as the living room of Colombo, a space where locals and international visitors alike can come together to enjoy food, entertainment, and experiences. The resort features 17 restaurants and bars, around 800 rooms across two hotels, Cinnamon Life and NUWA, and a comprehensive entertainment offering that includes a casino and a shopping centre.
What we see here is a diverse mix of activity. On any given day, the property hosts weddings, large corporate events, exhibitions, and international conferences. Many Indian corporates, through their global networks, are now choosing Colombo for meetings and events. One of Sri Lanka’s key advantages is accessibility, as it is a short-haul destination for Indian travellers.
Another important element of this project is its strong sense of place. We have consciously embedded Sri Lankan hospitality and culture into the experience through art exhibitions, art walks, local markets, curated events, and a strong culinary focus. Our culinary team includes Indian chefs alongside local and international chefs, offering a wide range of dining experiences.
At the core, our aim is to deliver authentic Sri Lankan hospitality within a modern, iconic architectural setting in the heart of Colombo. This combination makes Cinnamon Life truly distinctive and special in every sense. We are also seeing a shift in guest behaviour, with the property increasingly being used as a central hub. Earlier, travellers would arrive at Colombo Airport and head straight to destinations in the south, often without spending any time in the city. Now, more guests are choosing to stay and experience Colombo as part of their journey. So, Colombo is becoming, you know, a much more desirable location to enjoy art, culture, food, and obviously we are next to the ocean, which is very unique in every way and form.
Q. How does Cinnamon Life cater to diverse traveller segments while maintaining a seamless guest experience?
A. One of the most distinctive aspects of Cinnamon Life is how thoughtfully the resort has been designed as a fully integrated space. Despite hosting a wide range of guest segments, whether groups, families, couples, sports teams, or leisure travellers, the scale and spatial planning of the property ensure that these segments coexist without overlapping or compromising one another’s experience.
The layout allows each guest type to enjoy the resort in their own way. Our dining venues, for instance, cater equally well to large groups, FIT travellers, families, and leisure guests, without creating a sense of crowding. This balance enables us to serve multiple segments simultaneously while preserving privacy, comfort, and a sense of exclusivity.
We have also curated tailored, one-of-a-kind experiences for different markets, particularly for Indian travellers. Food plays a crucial role for this segment, as do shopping and cultural experiences, and we have customised offerings that reflect these preferences. Group travel and MICE business are handled very differently from leisure stays, with dedicated spaces and experiences designed specifically for each.
What ties it all together is the harmony within the property. Guests naturally interact within the resort without feeling overwhelmed, as every element has been carefully planned. Ultimately, Cinnamon Life succeeds in catering to every type of traveller while ensuring that each guest’s space, comfort, and overall experience remain uncompromised.
Q. Given the scale of the property, how challenging is it to ensure sustained business across over the long term?
A. That is a very relevant question. Like any large business, sustainability depends on building a well-balanced mix of segments. For us, this includes MICE, corporate travellers, leisure guests, OTA-driven business, wholesale partners, and the casino, which also contributes significantly to room demand. All these segments collectively support occupancy and address the diverse needs of our guests.
One of the key strengths of this property is that it has quickly established itself as a destination in its own right. Cinnamon Life has become the address to be at, driven by the breadth of experiences it offers. A critical pillar for a development of this scale is the MICE segment. Without a strong MICE business, sustaining such a large inventory would be extremely challenging.
What makes Cinnamon Life particularly attractive for MICE and large events is the flexibility of our spaces. We offer multiple ballrooms, expansive pre-function areas, smaller venues, and breakout rooms. This versatility has enabled us to host everything from large corporate events to multiple destination weddings from India simultaneously, helping us drive consistent business across the property.
Higher footfall within the hotel naturally translates into increased activity at the casino and retail outlets. Our shopping precinct features a carefully curated mix of local and international brands. Looking ahead, we will be adding a cinema in June or July, along with additional nightlife and entertainment offerings. These additions will further enhance foot traffic and reinforce Cinnamon Life as a truly all-encompassing destination, ensuring long-term sustainability across all facets of the development.
Q. When it comes to the Indian MICE segment, is the demand largely incentive-driven?
A. It is a mix of different segments. Incentives form an important part of the business, but we are also seeing strong demand for workshops, exhibitions, seminars, and large-scale conferences. So, the Indian MICE business for us spans the entire spectrum, rather than being limited only to incentive travel.
Sri Lanka currently represents strong value for Indian customers, primarily due to its proximity, the favourable exchange rate between the Sri Lankan rupee and the Indian rupee, and the ease of visa access. These factors make it a highly attractive and cost-effective destination, which is why Indian travellers have emerged as our largest source market.
To tap into this opportunity, we have implemented several focused strategies for the Indian MICE market. We operate a dedicated Global Sales Office in India that works closely with trade partners across the country. In addition, we collaborate with select agencies that feed into our wider network. We maintain a strong on-ground presence by participating in travel marts, exhibitions, and industry events across India.
Another critical component of our strategy is familiarisation visits. We regularly invite key partners to experience the property first-hand, allowing them to see, feel, and understand the product, the people, and the service offering. This holistic exposure is essential not only for the end customer but also for the booking decision-makers, helping build confidence and drive conversions.
Q. With ongoing geopolitical developments globally, how do you see these impacting your prospects in the market?
A. One of Sri Lanka’s key strengths is that it is widely perceived as a neutral and friendly destination within the region. The country has largely remained outside major geopolitical tensions, which has helped position it as a safe and welcoming choice for travellers.
While Sri Lanka has faced its own internal challenges in the past, the country is now on much firmer footing. At this point, it is increasingly viewed as a calm, secure, and attractive destination. Coupled with strong value for money, this makes Sri Lanka an appealing option for travellers seeking memorable experiences.
Visitors are drawn not only by the beaches but also by the rich culture, diverse wildlife, and the ability to experience so much within a compact island. This combination of safety, value, and diversity makes Sri Lanka quite unique and well positioned, even amid broader global uncertainties.
Q. Overall, are you noticing any emerging trends from the Indian market?
A. We are certainly seeing the emergence of a more sophisticated Indian traveller, one who knows exactly what they are looking for, and this trend is becoming increasingly pronounced. Younger couples are travelling more frequently and opting for short breaks and staycations, which is a growing trend for us.
We are also witnessing a rise in group travel among Indian friends, particularly groups of women travelling together. Recently, for instance, we hosted several groups of Indian women who came together to enjoy the destination through food, cultural experiences, shopping, and leisure. This is a segment we see growing steadily.
Another noticeable trend is shorter stays. Many travellers now prefer two- to three-night breaks rather than longer holidays, and Sri Lanka’s accessibility makes it an ideal destination for such quick getaways.
Culinary experiences are also playing an increasingly important role. While Sri Lankan cuisine is still evolving in terms of global perception, it is well received by Indian travellers, especially given the country’s strong vegetarian offerings. At a property like ours, vegetarian options are widely available and thoughtfully curated to cater to Indian preferences.
Demographically, we are seeing a younger audience, largely in the 25 to 45 age group, a segment that was not as prominent earlier. These travellers are seeking authentic, immersive experiences and want to discover something new rather than follow traditional travel patterns. It is encouraging to see this shift gaining momentum.
Q. What are your expectations for the new year?
A. We are extremely optimistic and believe this will be one of the strongest years the property has seen. The year ahead is well positioned for major events, rich cultural programming, and a steady flow of travellers from across the world, with India in particular being a key focus market. Overall, we expect a very strong year for business.
Domestic demand will also continue to play an important role. The Sri Lankan diaspora is a significant source market for us, with travellers visiting from Australia, the UK, Canada, and the United States. In addition, we see consistent demand from local travellers choosing to stay with us.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Cinnamon Life is the strong engagement from the local community. Our restaurants are frequently filled with Colombo residents, which reinforces our vision of the property as the living room of the city. This integration of local and international guests creates a vibrant atmosphere and underlines the importance of the domestic market as a core pillar of our overall business strategy.