Monday, 6 October 2014 00:00
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Commemorates World Tourism Day with Supplier Meet at Nuga Gama
Committed to empowering individuals and communities around the country, extending its reach beyond the city limits, Cinnamon Grand Colombo embraced this year’s World Tourism Day theme of ‘Tourism and Community Development’ with a Supplier Meet, bringing together local craftsmen from across the island at Sri Lanka’s first village in the city, Nuga Gama.
The hotel, which has continually given prominence to Sri Lankan identity through a widespread action plan that includes the introduction of unique initiatives such as the opening of Nuga Gama, this year commemorated World Tourism Day by hosting over 25 artisans who has kept the torch of local handicrafts burning amidst the increasingly developing world.
The meet acted as a catalyst to further promote the initiative taken in 2009 with the opening of Nuga Gama to give local artisans a chance to showcase and sell their products at the restaurant. This has helped create opportunities to promote the products of these craftsmen; thereby generating more sales and income for themselves. Furthermore, it was also discussed to promote their crafts within the Cinnamon City Hotels, which includes Cinnamon Lakeside and Cinnamon Red in the future.
The artisans hailing from Dankotuwa, Balapitiya, Manikhinna, Kandy, Wekada, Habaraduwa, Devinuwara, Moratuwa, Tangalle, Pannipitiya and Galle brought forth some of their new and innovative products in batik, Dumbara rata handloom, beeralu lace, woodcraft, coconut shell crafts, masks and bags from water hyacinth among others.
Surrounded by the soft rustling of the leaves, the suppliers showcased their products, discussed their plans for the future and exchanged ideas on how to improve themselves as craftsmen. Cinnamon Grand’s Marketing Communications and Sustainability Department and Purchasing Department extended their knowhow to re-evaluate the current products of the suppliers, giving feedback on how to transform those that need improvement to better cater to the demand. The craftsmen also shared their thoughts on how better Cinnamon Grand could support their skills.
The meet acted as a tool to strengthen and further build the community reach of Cinnamon Grand as a hotel with a vision to empower individuals and communities at all levels. The hotel takes pride in its social development framework which looks at empowering human capital through skills development, to promote social inclusiveness through the hotel’s products and service offerings under its Triple Bottom Line Indicator.
Cinnamon City Hotels Sector Head Rohan Karr noted: “We have always been mindful of the fact that ours is a ‘people business’ and hinges immensely on the relationship we nurture with our valued business partners.”
He added that creating and developing sustainable income and livelihoods, especially among the supply chain is central to the operations. “Cinnamon Grand has an extensive network of small and micro entrepreneurs who form an integral link to our supply chain; ensuring them of sustainable income which creates a fundamental aspect of our supply chain relations.”
According to Karr, plans are in the pipeline to incorporate these crafts as souvenirs and corporate gifts within the other city hotels as well. “Currently these crafts are displayed only at Nuga Gama kadé. Our aim however, is to incorporate this into our hotel network so as to enable wider exposure for these local artisans. Cinnamon is a truly Sri Lankan brand and takes great pride in promoting local culture through our luxurious experiences.”
