‘Nat Geo Mission Cover Shot’ with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts featured on international TV show

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts facilitated the first photography-based reality show with the National Geographic channel in February, focusing on many of the tourist attractions in the Island. Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, the key hospitality partner for the event, set the background for these challenges adding colour and glamour to the images taken and providing excellent accommodation for the Nat Geo Team.

As the first challenge of the elimination rounds, Chaaya Wild Yala posed a wildlife based challenge for the contestants. Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts was more than a hospitality partner providing guidance on the field with the expertise of Head of Eco Tourism Chitral Jayatileke along with the Cinnamon Nature Trails team. The team mentored the photographers offering tips and advice on how to capture the best images in the wild. Jayatileke was also part of the panel of field specialists conducting the Yala leg in short listing the best images.

The Nat Geo team was exposed to a variety of unique experiences such as Sri Lankan martial arts and the traditional battle of the kings at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa. The next task was photographing typical Sri Lankan village style dining at the Nuga Gama restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo whilst also experiencing a Kala Pola followed by an elimination round at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. Cinnamon Bey Beruwala provided the ideal location for the Mask Dance act which was yet another major photo challenge.

Whilst at the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, the Nat Geo team visited the Pinnawala elephant orphanage in close proximity from the shooting location. Chaaya Village Habarana was the base from which the contestants were able to film the ancient city of Polonaruwa which is home to many of the ruins of ancient times, man-made lakes and artifacts of ancient Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana hosted the grand finale, after which the entire team bid goodbye to Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts with the promise that they would return.

The elimination rounds will be telecast on National Geographic for ten consecutive weeks starting 25 March at 10 pm.