Cinnamon Box Office targets Colombo as regional entertainment hub

Thursday, 13 August 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Michelle Therese Alles

Cinnamon Box Office (CBO), an integrated ticketing and event platform featuring AI-powered ticket forecasting and a destination-wide event calendar, aims to use entertainment, culture and experiences to drive Colombo’s tourism growth. Unveiled at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, the initiative seeks to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional culture and entertainment hub and attract more visitors to the city.

Speaking at the launch, John Keells Group Senior Vice President – Global Alliances and Partnerships and Corporate Affairs Head Dileep Mudadeniya said Colombo currently accounts for around 28% of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, compared with around 70% in several competing capital cities.

Mudadeniya said Colombo needs to increase tourist arrivals from around 500,000 to 1 million to support Sri Lanka’s Government target of more than 3 million arrivals, given the city’s hotel capacity.

He also noted Colombo’s first-place ranking in South Asia in the Brand Finance City Index, saying the city could strengthen its “soft value” and destination appeal through museums, galleries, events, music, theatre and arts festivals rather than relying only on physical landmarks.

“Colombo lacks any kind of recurring festivals,” he said, noting their role in city branding and tourism.

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Senior Vice President – Colombo Hotels and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka General Manager – Kamal Munasinghe said the initiative formed part of a broader strategy to position Colombo as a destination for hospitality, entertainment and lifestyle.

CBO will use AI-powered forecasting to help event organisers predict ticket sales and adjust marketing campaigns and budgets. Its AI-powered Destination Event Calendar will compile listings from venues across Sri Lanka, with personalised recommendations, artist details and local event information for hotel guests.

The platform builds on Cinnamon’s track record of bringing international productions and personalities to Sri Lanka, including Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music and international culinary experiences featuring Nigella Lawson, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Marco Pierre White, as well as more recent productions such as La Bamba: The Song of Veracruz.

The calendar includes This Is Michael – Relive the Legend, an international Michael Jackson tribute scheduled for 8 and 9 November at The Podium, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, and Jewels Beneath the Waves, featuring underwater photographer and master diver Eric Goh on 29 August. Cinnamon is also supporting Chefs Guild Lanka’s bid to host the World Chefs Congress 2028 in Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Nature Trails Head Chithral Jayatilake said Colombo has more than 18 dive sites with shipwrecks, including wrecks dating back to World War II.

Mudadeniya said Cinnamon Box Office would bring together event organisers, venues, the creative community and audiences.

“We need to create a platform for all these people to tell their story. The Box Office is going to be that place.”