Cinnamon Awards of Excellence honours outstanding achievers
Cinnamon’s resort hotels recently hosted their second consecutive Annual Awards of Excellence at Hikkatranz by Cinnamon. The event was held to celebrate and appreciate Cinnamon’s outstanding achievers in both individual and team categories in the resorts sector for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, to recognise them for their outstanding achievements in the workplace and their commitment towards being ‘hospitality trendsetters’.
A large number of outstanding performers were recognised during this awards ceremony under 12 award categories and the highlights of the event were the crowning of Cinnamon’s ‘Employee of the Year’ and ‘Champion of the Year’ (from each individual hotel in Sri Lanka and the Maldives). The event was topped off with a graduation ceremony, felicitating associates who successfully completed Cinnamon’s 18-month Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) and Management Acceleration Programme (MAP), which aim to identify talent within prospective successors in the organisation and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to reach their full potential.
The aim of the awards ceremony was to recognise the excellence of employees at all associate and executive levels. Contenders were assessed on their efforts to create a positive impact to business units, contribute to new initiatives, work outside the scope of duty by getting involved in CSR and sports activities and their efforts to achieve a balance between their work and personal life. Awards for ‘Best Cinnamon Moment’, Cinnamon SPARK, outstanding contribution to Sales’, Best Cost Management Initiative’, Best Sustainability Practices, Outstanding People Practices and ‘Best People Development’ were some of the key awards presented at this ceremony.
The ‘Outstanding Female Employee of the Year’ award was a highlight of Cinnamon’s recognition and facilitation of workplace equality, which recognised outstanding women at work, who rise through challenging experiences with unwavering fortitude and have become inspiring leaders that have empowered others to do the same. Two special individuals were recognised at this award ceremony for bringing honour and pride to Cinnamon, Yasarathna Bandara for becoming the National and World Tea Master Champion and Chamara Kasun for becoming the National Bartender Champion in the 27th National Bartender Championships 2019. In addition, winners of the ‘Cinnamon Rising star’ competition were awarded under nine different categories.
Commenting on the award ceremony, Leisure Resorts Sector Head and John Keells Group Executive Vice President Hishan Singhawansa said: “This important event helps to highlight the achievements of our team at Cinnamon. It gives us a platform to acknowledge the hard work, vision, dedication and effort that our team in Sri Lanka and the Maldives put into delivering excellence at every touch point. It is through their ongoing growth and performance that we are able to strengthen our position as a leader at the forefront of the hospitality industry and stay true to our commitment to deliver inspiring moments and iconic guest experiences.”
Speaking on the motivation behind the Awards of Excellence, Human Resources Leisure Resorts, Sri Lanka and Maldives Head and John Keells Group Vice President Ishara Naufal said: “Developing and empowering people are a key priority for us at Cinnamon and this awards programme has been designed to showcase the efforts and performance of team members across the resorts sector. Most importantly, this programme helps to acknowledge those who have stepped into the role of Cinnamon ambassadors and live our brand values day in and day out, both in the workplace and beyond.”
As a brand, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts always focuses on developing internal customers first. They have worked tirelessly to provide every associate with an equally secure, accommodating and enhanced atmosphere where they can think outside the box and make strides in the industry. The programme recognised the outstanding performers in the sector who have gone the extra mile to deliver a superior service across every level and department which in return enables the brand Cinnamon to excel on multiple fronts and cultivate a culture of excellence. Cinnamon has invested largely on training and development programmes and has formed strategic alliances with global hospitality training institutes to provide technical and operational skills to their associates in Sri Lanka and overseas.
Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts is a chain comprising 15 distinct hotels and resorts located in key areas across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The brand embodies a passion for inspired living and promises holistic and enhanced experiences that are tailor-made to suit the specific interests of travellers. The Cinnamon brand focuses on delivering memorable holidays and getaways that deliver exceptional standards of service whilst showcasing the warmth and vibrancy of contemporary Sri Lankan hospitality.