Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams: Transforming Colombo into South Asia's Premier Entertainment and Lifestyle Hub

Cinnamon Life Presents

Cinnamon Life Presents is a podcast offering exclusive insights into the launch of South Asia's first billion-dollar hospitality project and largest entertainment hub, unveiling the strategies and innovations shaping the guest experience of tomorrow.
In this episode, recorded at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Alessandro Aldo Cabella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, sits down with Suresh Rajendra, President of the Leisure Group at John Keells Holdings, to discuss how this groundbreaking project will transform Colombo and Sri Lanka into a lifestyle and entertainment hub.

Suresh explains how John Keells Holdings, Sri Lanka's largest conglomerate—with a significant presence in the leisure sector—envisioned Cinnamon Life as a catalyst to attract visitors from around the world to Colombo. Their goal is to redefine Colombo’s identity as a vibrant entertainment and lifestyle destination and to ensure that the city reaches its full potential on the global stage.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, the result of a decade-long vision and the largest private-sector investment in Sri Lanka’s history, reflects the ambition of John Keells Holdings. This landmark development goes beyond hospitality—it positions Colombo as South Asia’s premier hub for business, leisure, and entertainment.

Alessandro and Suresh explore how the exciting partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment has allowed City of Dreams to come to Colombo, bringing a unique entertainment experience to the region. This collaboration promises to draw more visitors to this side of the world, creating a hub that is unparalleled in South Asia.

Suresh emphasizes that the project isn't just about building a hotel—it's about transforming Colombo into a thriving destination for international visitors and global events. The conversation covers the economic benefits, including the creation of direct jobs and countless indirect opportunities, boosting tourism revenue, and increasing foreign exchange earnings for the country.

The podcast also highlights the importance of Cinnamon Air in elevating the guest experience. Cinnamon Air provides seamless access to remote wildlife destinations such as Yala and Wilpattu, allowing guests to explore the diversity of Sri Lanka before returning to Colombo’s entertainment hub. Suresh underscores that this connectivity will enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism ecosystem, making it easy for travelers to experience the country fully.

Through its ambitious scale, innovative partnerships, and integrated offerings, Cinnamon Life is setting new benchmarks for hospitality and entertainment in the region. With over 160,000 square feet of event spaces and countless immersive experiences, it offers a complete lifestyle experience for business travelers and leisure tourists alike.

Tune in to this insightful episode to hear more about the vision behind Cinnamon Life, how John Keells Holdings is reshaping Sri Lanka's tourism landscape, and how the project will redefine hospitality in South Asia.
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