19 hours Ago
Cinnamon Grand Colombo on Friday was adjudged the ‘Best 5-Star Hotel’ in the city along with Nuga Gama as the ‘Most Authentic Sri Lankan Cuisine Restaurant’, twin achievements attributed to the unwavering commitment and continuous excellence of the staff. The accolade at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024 was received by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo Hotels Area Vice President Kamal Munasinghe. Cinnamon Grand and Nuga Gama won the same awards previously in 2018, the last time the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards were held before the onset of multiple crises starting from the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the political and economic turmoil thereafter.
“The 2024 achievement is significant as the city has several new international brands. Being a Sri Lankan home-grown brand, this is a great achievement for all of us,” Munasinghe told journalists yesterday at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. He said the Awards have motivated the staff further as Cinnamon Grand steps into its 20th anniversary next year.
He emphasised that the hotel’s staff was key to this success. “There are a lot of people behind achieving such kinds of rewards. Everything that we have done in the Colombo sector, especially at Cinnamon Grand, the team is always behind it.
Anything is possible for the team and they will find a way to do it. So I have a great team. We, as leaders, are nothing if you do not have a good team,” added the top industry professional Munasinghe who joined Cinnamon Grand in 2020.
He said, with roots to 50 years ago, Cinnamon Grand as a venue remains iconic as well as sentimental and thanked the longstanding patrons of both the hotel and the restaurant. “As a brand, our motto is to bring the best of Sri Lanka to the world with style and elegance. Cinnamon Grand as a hotel and a Sri Lankan brand is proving to the world that we are the best 5-star hotel in the city,” said Munasinghe.
According to him, the awards selection followed multiple criteria, including how the hotel is connected to Sri Lankan culture and how successful applicants were in destination marketing. “Cinnamon Grand Colombo has been leading the way with innovation and investments when it comes to destination marketing,” Munasinghe revealed, adding that progressive measures have been fully backed by its parent John Keells Holdings PLC. The iconic Nuga Gama is a one-of-a-kind unique experience for tourists and local guests alike to savour Sri Lanka cuisine, he added.
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