Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts: Only Sri Lankan brand nominated for ITTA 2019

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts was recently shortlisted for the International Travel & Tourism Awards 2019 (ITTA) under the ‘Best Digital Campaign in Tourism’ category for its innovative Travel Blogger Conference Asia (TBC Asia) – a pioneering digital strategy implemented to enhance Cinnamon’s digital footprint across the global travel market. The highly anticipated awards ceremony will take place at the Magazine London on 5 November and will be attended by an elite line-up of guests including top professionals and companies in travel industry as well as media personalities. 

Cinnamon’s Travel Blogger Conference Asia (TBC Asia) witnessed 60 travel bloggers from around the world sharing real-time destination and brand-based content on multiple social networks and digital channels. Cinnamon reached a cumulative total of over 5.5 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and an array of personal travel blogs, resulting in over 20 million unique digital impressions. An expert panel of brand analysts and consultants reviewed a detailed analysis of this data and despite the fierce competition of entries from brands around the world, Cinnamon was able to make the shortlist with its impressive campaign. 

The listing itself comes at a time when the travel industry at large is trying to revive after the trying circumstances of the past few months. Being shortlisted for such a prominent award will shine a spotlight on the nation and its high value travel offering and news of the shortlisted candidates are being dispatched on top media channels via WTM media partners. The recognition and exposure the Cinnamon brand is set to not only raise the profile of the brand but also support the creation of positive conversations about Sri Lanka, but will also hopefully result in renewed interest in the island and an increase in arrival and occupancy rates at a national level.  Sharing his thoughts on the achievement, John Keells Holdings Vice President, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Head of Brand Marketing and Cinnamon Life Mall CEO Dileep Mudadeniya said: “Every bit of recognition that we get on the global travel stage is a win for both our brand and the industry itself. Despite recent events we have managed to put strong recovery strategies and novel destination marketing efforts in place to help renew an interest and passion for Sri Lanka’s travel offering in markets around the world. This important win will help to sustain our marketing efforts and help us to shine a spotlight on Sri Lanka at a world-class awards show.” 

Run in collaboration with WTM London, the International Travel & Tourism Award takes place annually to celebrate the success of the industry. This prestigious awards show honours leading brands and organisations across 15 categories, and attracts over 500 leading figures and thousands of participants each from across the sector.  The Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts chain comprises of 14 distinct hotels and resorts located in key areas across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The brand embodies a passion for inspired living and promises holistic and enhanced experiences that are tailor-made to suit the specific interests of travellers.  The Cinnamon brand focuses on delivering memorable holidays and getaways that deliver exceptional standards of service whilst showcasing the warmth and vibrancy of contemporary Sri Lankan hospitality.