With over 18 years of experience in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management within the hospitality sector, Radhey is set to play a pivotal role in leveraging growth opportunities, particularly with the launch of the Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort.

In an exclusive interview with GlobalSpa, he delves into his sustainable strategies and discusses expansion.

Tell us about the new property, Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort.

Currently, our top priority is the upcoming opening of our 800-room hotel in Colombo, known as the Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort. It boasts 15 dining outlets, 80,000 square feet of event space, an attached mall, and a casino operated by an international partner.

This project stands as one of the most significant endeavours both for Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. We are fully committed to promoting it on a global scale through our network of global sales offices. Currently, we have a presence in India, with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, and we will soon be opening one in Chennai. Additionally, we’ve established global sales offices in China (Beijing and Shanghai), Germany (Munich), France (Paris), and the UK (London), and will soon have an office in the UAE.

With its size, capacity, and the diverse experiences it will offer, Cinnamon Life is set to elevate MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events to an entirely new level for the destination. This promises to be a unique and extraordinary addition, both for us and for the Sri Lankan tourism landscape.

It should open in the second half of 2024. We’ve already been actively promoting it worldwide for the past six months, particularly at travel and trade exhibitions, focusing strongly on MICE-related events. Our presence has been notable not only in India, which is a highly attractive market but also in various other regions across the globe.

What extensive work have you been doing in terms of sustainability?

Our core environmental and social agenda revolves around three pillars: the well-being of our planet, empowerment, and the well-being of our people and the communities we engage with. Governance is also a significant aspect of our approach. Our primary commitment is to reduce single-use plastic waste at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. By 2025, we aim to cut guest-facing plastic usage by 50%. In the Maldives, we’ve already achieved an impressive 86% reduction. Biodiversity conservation is another key focus, closely tied to climate change mitigation. The Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Forest Department, a local NGO, and the John Keells Foundation, targets the rehabilitation of the Raja Rainforest in Sri Lanka, spanning 50 acres over three years. We also collaborate with Maldivian and Sri Lankan governments on projects like ocean temperature data loggers and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. These initiatives are of utmost importance due to the locations of our resorts. For instance, Cinnamon Wild is situated at the entrance of Yala National Park, renowned for its leopard sightings, and our Cinnamon Habarana Complex is close to a region inhabited by wild elephants. Ensuring minimal human-wildlife conflicts is vital to allowing our guests to experience these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.

One thing that makes sustainability efforts more prominent is the collaboration we have with different industries. For instance, our project involving ocean temperature data is a collaboration with the Maldivian government, and to address human-elephant conflict, we engage with leading elephant scientists in Sri Lanka. These collaborations with subject-matter experts and our science-based approach distinguish our projects and make them exceptional.

What do you consider a USP or something distinctive that sets your hotel apart from others?

Our primary focus is on our actions and how we collaborate with local communities to protect wildlife and minimise our environmental impact. In Sri Lanka, for instance, we are actively working towards eliminating plastic water bottles. We are currently in discussions with an international water bottling plant to install a system that provides our guests with filtered water, eliminating the need for plastic bottles. Our commitment lies in sustainability and responsible hospitality, rather than viewing this as a promotional endeavour.

So would you say that your focus right now is completely on the environment and nature?

This is an exceptionally crucial and integral aspect of our business operations and philosophy. For instance, during an event in Bangkok, a team member from Cinnamon was honoured as the Sustainability Ambassador as part of the “Face of the Future” phase. This individual took on the additional responsibility of driving the sustainability agenda at the property level. She was recognised for her remarkable contributions to the property. It was a moment of immense pride for us, and what makes it even more significant is that her efforts were entirely self-driven and not prompted by external factors.

Such recognitions bestowed upon our team members underscore the importance and depth at which sustainability initiatives are embedded both at the property level and within our corporate structure. This reflects our commitment to go beyond using sustainability as a mere buzzword and instead genuinely take responsibility for our actions. Our contributions are unique and make a meaningful impact on both the environment and society.

Is there a particular habit or aspect of your hotel experience that you’ve grown fond of?

When I joined Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts two years ago on my first trip to the Maldives, we were each provided with a personalised water bottle upon arrival. The message was clear: there were no plastic bottles on the resort, and this was now our designated bottle. Throughout our stay, we had access to water stations where we could refill these bottles. This practice resonated with me, and over time, it became a habit to carry a reusable bottle with me wherever I went, rather than reaching for a disposable plastic one. When I returned home with my family, including my kids, they observed this shift in behaviour. Plastic bottles started to seem undesirable, and touching them felt somewhat guilt-inducing. This change in mindset extended to our household, and we reduced our use of plastic bottles.

When it comes to weddings, are you seeing any destination weddings happening at your properties hosted by Indians?

Sri Lanka is one of the dream destinations for an Indian traveller. Sri Lankan tourism has a target of doing at least 60 mixed-scale events with weddings in the country this year. Our target is to do 12 destination weddings this year. And out of 12, most of the target, or almost all of it, is going to happen at Cinnamon Bentota Beach, which is our flagship property in Lanka. We already have six weddings that are confirmed, and these are coming from Indians living in different parts of the world, including London, Africa, the UAE, and some within India as well. But most of these weddings are also buyouts of the resort.

Lastly, do you have a personal favourite property?

Two standout properties within our portfolio are Cinnamon Bentota Beach in Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Velifushi in the Maldives.

Cinnamon Bentota Beach is exceptional in its authenticity and design. The property has undergone extensive renovation while preserving its original charm. Guests often share emotional stories, such as one where a woman took a photo next to a childhood picture from her visit to the resort when she was just four years old. Such unique experiences are offered by this property.

In the Maldives, Cinnamon Velifushi stands as our flagship resort. Despite its modest size with 90 keys, it exudes charm and has gained immense popularity worldwide. The resort provides a wide range of experiences, from sports to relaxation, set against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives’ natural beauty. These properties represent the diversity and uniqueness that Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts offer to travellers.