Tourism sector signals rapid recovery post-Ditwah; luxury segment sees strong momentum

 

Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector is witnessing a swift return to normalcy following the passage of Cyclone Ditwah, with industry leaders confirming that operational disruptions were minimal and booking trends are already rebounding. 

The sentiments were expressed at a media briefing held this week at the Crystal Lounge, Nüwa, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, to announce the launch of the ‘One Love’ Reggae Festival.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Kamal Munasinghe acknowledged a brief slowdown in forward bookings immediately following the adverse weather, but noted that the industry has shown remarkable resilience. According to Munasinghe, the pickup in bookings has normalised over the last few days, signalling a positive outlook for the remainder of the winter season.

“We are very optimistic for tourism in Sri Lanka,” Munasinghe said, emphasising the speed of the recovery efforts. He highlighted that essential infrastructure was cleared rapidly, with road access to Kandy restored within days of the storm. Munasinghe, who visited the group’s properties shortly after the cyclone, confirmed that hotels in the affected regions—specifically Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon—were fully operational. “When we entered the hotels, we felt like nothing had happened. It was normal operation,” he stressed.

The briefing also highlighted the growing confidence in Sri Lanka’s ultra-luxury tourism market. A senior spokesperson for City of Dreams Sri Lanka, which manages the Nüwa hotel and casino operations, dismissed earlier skepticism regarding the country’s readiness for high-end tourism. 

The integrated resort has reportedly seen strong traction from international markets, particularly India and China, with the casino operations drawing significant foreign currency flows. The spokesperson noted that the property has become a hub for high-profile visitors, having hosted Bollywood celebrities and international cricketers since its launch, further validating the potential for luxury entertainment tourism in the island. (NF)