Cinnamon Lakeside tops Brand Finance List as ‘Most Valued Hospitality Brand’

In its latest publication of ‘Sri Lanka’s Leading Brands,’ Brands Finance lists Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo as the ‘Highest Valued Hospitality Brand’ in Sri Lanka.

The annual review has been published for eight consecutive years by Brand Finance, a leading independent consultancy founded in the UK. The review assesses the health of leading brands in Sri Lanka as using available published data supplemented by independent market research to analyse performance.

Restoring Abeygiriya Temple

Having considered several factors that determine brand performance, such as financial and market performance measures, an assessment of the stewardship of the brand, approach to sustainability and consumer equity, the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo brand was valued at Rs. 559 million with a brand rating of AA. Brand Ratings are based on strength, risk and future potential of a brand in relation to its competitors.

Operating in the increasingly competitive hospitality sector, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s performance may be attributed to several initiatives which have lead to its recognition as an industry leader.

Developments to the property include a Rs. 350 million renovation as recently as October 2011 which followed a Rs. 464 million renovation project in September 2009. Currently ranked the ‘Best Five Star City Hotel’ by Sri Lanka Tourism, the hotel continues to impress with innovative ventures.

Inspired by the John Keells vision for its leisure sector, ‘to always be the hospitality trendsetter’ Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo launched ‘8 degrees on the lake,’ Colombo’s first purpose built floating venue, an additional revenue stream for the company. The stunning floating restaurant accommodates private events as well as diners aboard its popular ‘Sunday Bubbly Brunch’. It serves as a natural extension to the relaxing lakeside ambience and remains the most unique banquet venue in the country.

In addition Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is the first large scale hotel on South East Asia to conduct trolley-less cleaning in all its rooms, setting a new trend in the hospitality industry.

Latest venture - 8 degrees on the lake	Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo - The view from 7 Degrees North

Corporate Social Responsibility has played a fundamental role in building the Cinnamon brand. Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo embarked on a number of projects to maintain the John Keells Leisure Sector pledge “I will care”.

The hotel launched a series of cultural restoration projects beginning with the historical Abhayagiriya temple last year, followed by the St. Anne’s Church Paradise in Kuruwita. The series will continue with projects involving a mosque as well as a Hindu temple this year.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is the only hotel in Sri Lanka to be re-certified by Green Globe, the premier international brand for independent certification of sustainable travel, tourism and related green businesses. Several sustainable practices have contributed to this program including awareness internally through training sessions, use of Green Globe certified washroom fittings and encouraging guests to consider their reusing linen. The initiatives also embrace the John Keells Leisure Sector pledge ‘I will be green’.

With the rapid developments in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, the hotel’s owning company John Keells’ investments encompass the development of human resources as much as it upgrades the hotel’s hardware. Through a highly specialised training program in conjunction with the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, 150 associates were flown to the UAE for between five days and two weeks for a program that included placements at some of the leading hotels in the world. Participants were selected from all levels of employment.

Media Services (Pvt) Ltd., publishers of the Lanka Monthly Digest amongst other periodicals, is reputed for special publications such as Brands Annual. In other Media Services annual issues, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo owning company John Keells Holdings was recognised as ‘Sri Lanka’s Most Respected Company of 2011’ and sailed to first place in the LMD Top 50.

The magazine says: “It crossed the finish line with ease and ended the year with revenues in excess of a record Rs. 60 billion. It was also by far the most valuable company on the Colombo Stock Exchange at 31 March 2011 with a market capitalisation closing on Rs. 180 billion. And it was only second to Bukit Darah in the profitability rankings, with a bottom line of Rs. 9 billion.”

Conscious of the ever-evolving nature of the hospitality industry, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is geared to prove the progressive reputation of the Cinnamon brand. As a part of a locally owned chain in an industry traditionally dominated by global players, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo stands tall as an icon in hospitality.