Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts has launched Cinnamon Box Office, an integrated ticketing and event platform, as part of a wider effort by the John Keells Group to build Colombo’s “soft power” and turn the commercial capital into a regional entertainment and tourism hub.

The platform combines event consultation, online marketing, dynamic venue mapping and an artificial intelligence tool for predictive sales analysis. Its Destination Event Calendar uses AI to gather and categorise entertainment listings from across the island so visitors can plan itineraries.

The business is not starting from zero: Cinnamon Box Office has already generated more than Rs 400 million in revenue and handled over 10,000 ticket sales.

The case for Colombo

“Colombo actually gets only 28% of overall tourist arrivals to the country, compared to competing regions where about 70% of tourists visit the capital before going to other areas,” said Dileep Mudadeniya, John Keells Group Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships and Head of Corporate Affairs.

Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President for Colombo Hotels at Cinnamon and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said modern destinations are defined by experiences.

“Our vision has never been to build just another hotel, but to create a destination where hospitality, entertainment, dining, retail, and lifestyle come together under one roof,” Munasinghe said.

What is on the calendar

The platform will host international productions including “This Is Michael – Relive the Legend”, a Michael Jackson tribute presented by Spanish entertainment company Sira Música and starring Brazilian performer Lenny Jay, running November 8 and 9 at The Podium, City of Dreams Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Nature Trails will stage “Jewels Beneath the Waves” on August 29 with underwater photographer Eric Goh, focusing on marine life and wreck diving off Colombo.

“Just outside the city in Colombo, there are more than 18 dive sites with wrecks dating as far back as the Second World War where you can explore amazing reefs,” said Chitral Jayatilake, Vice President and Head of Cinnamon Nature Trails.

Cinnamon is also backing the Chefs Guild of Lanka’s bid to host the Worldchefs Congress 2030.

The launch follows the opening of the Colombo Marathon 2026 at City of Dreams, another event-led play at drawing visitors into the capital.

Sources: EconomyNext, Daily Mirror.