Hotels (Commonwealth Union) _ Reflecting on Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ steadfast dedication to sustainable and inclusive hospitality across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Hishan Singhawansa, the Deputy CEO and COO, highlights the company’s emphasis on community engagement, environmental preservation, and promoting diversity.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts stands as a prime example of hospitality that intertwines community involvement, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development across its 15 establishments in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Particularly in rural Sri Lanka, the company’s presence serves as both an opportunity and a commitment to positively impacting local communities through direct employment, integration of local suppliers, and youth empowerment, with a focus on enhancing female participation in the sector. Led by General Managers, these initiatives represent strategic imperatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods and bolstering the socio-economic fabric of communities.
The company’s engagement initiatives have directly benefited 6,400 individuals, with an indirect impact reaching approximately 30,000 beneficiaries across its locations. Recognizing the pivotal role of hospitality in the economies of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to nurturing talent and driving economic growth.
Despite industry-wide challenges regarding low rates of female participation, the company aims to increase female workforce representation to 25% in the coming years. To achieve this, it actively engages with communities, partnering with educational institutions and NGOs to introduce opportunities in the hospitality sector to women through scholarships and tailored training internships.
In response to recent economic adversities, the company has launched impactful projects such as the Pasal Diriya program, benefiting approximately 1,600 children daily, and the 2022 food security initiative, empowering over 4,000 beneficiaries through home gardening and advanced farming practices.
Furthermore, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts remains committed to environmental conservation, collaborating with scientists to enhance understanding and research conservation efforts in operational areas. Innovative approaches include addressing human-elephant conflict by fencing villages instead of confining elephants, resulting in promising outcomes.
The company has also taken significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint by eliminating single-use plastics and minimizing freshwater usage across operations. Upholding principles of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling is integral to its operational ethos.
In the context of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), diversity and inclusion are paramount. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts prioritizes gender parity, career opportunities for persons with disabilities, and inclusivity of the LGBTIQ+ community, aligning with the ONE JKH brand launched by its parent company, John Keells Group, in 2020.
The company’s recent achievement at the ACCA Sustainability Report Awards underscores its commitment to trust, transparency, and governance. Through rigorous audits and comprehensive reporting on ESG initiatives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts continues to drive positive change and sustainable growth, aiming to be a beacon of responsible hospitality.
