Cinnamon reinforces commitment to ocean conservation on World Oceans Day

8 June 2022, Colombo: Led by the triple bottom line approach of people, planet and profits, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts practices responsible tourism at all times, by ensuring a balance with nature and a connect with communities. In keeping with its sustainable ethos, this year too Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts celebrate World Oceans Day by reiterating their commitment to best practices in managing the ocean’s resources. The theme for World Oceans Day 2022, ‘Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean’ truly embodies Cinnamon’s efforts to work closely with various partners to create a new balance with the ocean that restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has introduced strategic sustainability initiatives across many of its resorts geared toward protecting the oceans in the Maldives and in Sri Lanka.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

In the Maldives, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon has strategically placed artificial reef structures in areas where no fish movement was seen, using reef cubes manufactured in-house consisting of cement, sand, aggregate and crushed glass, thus preventing crushed glass from polluting the sea. Reef and beach cleaning projects are organized regularly with the enthusiastic participation of guests and employees on a monthly basis to clean up any debris caught in the corals due to strong currents. This has helped to maintain the house reef and beach areas resulting in coral regeneration. Net bags sewn in-house are provided to all divers and snorkelers, facilitating the collection of any plastic or debris that is found in the sea and coral at the house reef, which enables guests also to play a part in preserving the ocean. Ellaidhoo Maldives will mark the occasion of World Oceans Day 2022 with a beach and lagoon clean-up involving employees and guests.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives embarked on a coral propagation project in 2018 and has placed 24 coral frames around the lagoon as of date, whose growth and maintenance are closely monitored. A biodiversity study was completed and this year a Wet Garbage Digester machine will be installed at the resort. The resort will commemorate World Oceans Day this year with a new phase of the project of five new coral frames being placed in the lagoon.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is conducting a Coral Propagation project where the Engineering Team will fabricate approximately 10 steel frames. Live corals will be delicately taken from the ocean and tied to the frames by the Marine Biologist and Dive School team and placed in the lagoon to encourage the growth of corals in the lagoon. Further, dive school and resort employees will snorkel in the lagoon to clean it up. The main attraction of the Maldives is the pristine oceans and Cinnamon’s initiatives to preserve the pristine nature of the waters go a long way toward sustaining tourism in the atolls.

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon

In Sri Lanka, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon initiated a Beach Bag project as an opportunity for the local female community to create Batik beach bags for the guests by using discarded linen. Further, a beach and marine life conservation project is being planned and caution notices have been placed to protect turtles and newly forming coral reefs. Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon also facilitates the turtle hatching done by Sri Lanka Navy Lifesavers. The resort plans to place plastic bottle collection cages on the beach for responsible disposal of plastics while also conducting regular beach cleanup programmes.

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

On Sri Lanka’s east coast, Trinco Blu by Cinnamon conducts beach cleanups twice daily as part of their operational routine while regular volunteer campaigns are also organised with large employee participation. The resort team assists in demarcating the sensitive coral areas and controlling the Crown of Thorn infestations. Periodic dive site clean-ups are conducted underwater to recover tons of garbage from the bottom of the sea. Trinco Blu by Cinnamon also assists the Wildlife Department in finding and rehabilitating injured sea turtles and protecting their nesting ground which is in front of the resort. In addition to this, a sea turtle holding tank will be constructed to assist the Wildlife department to treat injured sea animals. The resort also supports the Wildlife Department in cleaning and maintaining the Pigeon Island national park. To play a role in educating future generations on ocean conservation, the hotel also offers logistics support to the marine biology students of Ruhuna University in their research activities whenever they require it.

As a responsible corporate entity deeply committed to sustainability, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts proactively strives to preserve natural resources and biodiversity in and around all properties with strategic initiatives aimed at making a long-term impact. As a brand that truly cares about securing a more equitable, sustainable future for the world and its citizens, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to making conservation and sustainability a lifestyle, not a habit.