Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts receive safety stamp

• Cinnamon properties certified ‘Safe and Secure’ by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and World Travel and Tourism Council

Cinnamon’s Sri Lanka properties, namely Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Cinnamon Red Colombo, and Cinnamon Bentota Beach, have received the ‘Safe and Secure’ compliance certification issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon are among the other properties awaiting approval status.

This is further to Sri Lanka receiving the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp earlier this year, marking the destination ‘safe’ for domestic and international travellers, mandated by the SLTDA, in conjunction with safety protocols introduced by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Certified by the audit firm KPMG, this recent certification signifies that the properties have been named ‘COVID-19 safe and secure’. The audit was conducted via a strict inspection and auditing process under the purview of the SLTDA and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

This initiative by the SLTDA assesses compliance with operational guidelines and issues the ‘Safe and Secure’ certification to registered accommodation and service providers. The certification further ensures that hotels and other service providers have successfully implemented the COVID-19 operational guidelines and health protocols released by the SLTDA, in consultation with all tourism stakeholders and under the guidance of the MOH and the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

As part of the audit, properties were inspected on adherence to all areas of health and safety protocols in relation to COVID-19, as mandated by the MOH and WHO, including the implementation of ‘Cinnamon Care’ – The Cinnamon Standard for Care & Cleanliness across all properties. Further areas included pre-screening of guests and employees, guest registration, wearing relevant PPEs, social distancing and signages, increased frequency of cleaning public areas, disinfection and sanitation, decluttering of amenities such as removal of in-room compendiums, notepads, etc., intensive training of staff on the new protocols, usage of ULV electrostatic foggers, rapid response, and random PCR testing.

The ‘Safe and Secure’ certification is significant to industry operators, as tourists will be permitted to reserve accommodation and services, only from certified establishments, once tourism resumes. It further ensures that the health and safety of guests, staff and industry stakeholders are adhered to, through the MOH and WHO directed protocols. 

Cinnamon’s four properties in the Maldives, have also received similar certification from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, giving the hotels the go-ahead to operate.

The WTTC Safe Travels stamp, recognised and embraced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), further gives travellers confidence, allowing them to recognise properties and businesses that diligently follow globally streamed health and hygiene protocols aligned with the WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols.

In addition, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts played a significant role in Sri Lanka receiving the WTTC accreditation, by initiating the process and working in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts consists of a portfolio of 2,562 rooms in 15 hotels across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “Cinnamon” embodies the promise of “Inspired Living” through their spaces, services and guest experiences.