outperformed the Regional Average level for energy consumption.
were better than the Regional Average level for emissions.
outperformed both the Regional Average and Regional Leader levels for potable water consumption.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality brand, has partnered with EarthCheck to benchmark 15 of its properties, using data to drive meaningful, measurable progress on sustainability.
Celebrating 20 years of hospitality excellence, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts operates 17 properties across Sri Lanka, including four city hotels in Colombo and nine resorts in other parts of the country, as well as four resorts in the Maldives.
Catering to urban explorers, beach lovers and nature enthusiasts, Cinnamon is committed to delivering memorable experiences while embedding sustainability into its operations.
In 2024, the group partnered with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking and advisory group for sustainable tourism, to assess the performance of 15 of its properties, including 11 in Sri Lanka and four in the Maldives.
With over two decades of experience in sustainability benchmarking and tourism certification, EarthCheck brings a rigorous, science-backed approach to performance assessment.
“Our partnership with EarthCheck marks a critical step in our sustainability journey,” says Hishan Singhawansa, CEO-Designate of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. “We believe that responsible tourism starts with accountability, and this collaboration empowers us with the data we need to make meaningful, lasting change.”
Benchmarking helps businesses understand how they’re performing against trusted sustainability standards, and where there’s room to improve.
“Our data-driven approach helps businesses like Cinnamon identify where they can make real, measurable improvements,” says Dr. Steve Newman, EarthCheck’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
EarthCheck was commissioned to assess the 2022-2023 performance of the 15 properties using its science-backed benchmarking system. The benchmarking covered two annual reporting periods, allowing EarthCheck to identify both year-on-year progress and standout performers.
EarthCheck’s benchmarks draw on extensive global research and are tailored to each region and industry sector. Benchmarks are calculated using over 90 data periods from similar operations in the same sector and climate zone, ensuring that comparisons are fair and context-specific.
They provide two key comparison points: a Regional Average, which reflects typical performance, and a Regional Leader level, which represents best-practice outcomes under the same conditions.
Each property received a tailored performance report outlining how it tracked against EarthCheck benchmarks, enabling targeted improvements and strategic planning at site level.
The results revealed standout performance across three core areas: energy efficiency and emissions reduction, water conservation, and waste management. One property in particular, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, emerged as the group’s top performer across several key sustainability indicators.
EarthCheck’s benchmarking approach incorporates a wide range of operational inputs – including purchased electricity, on-site fuel use, wastewater treatment, extracted and potable water sources, and different types of waste – to provide a comprehensive sustainability snapshot for each property.
Across the board, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts demonstrated strong performance in energy efficiency and emissions reduction. All 15 properties recorded lower energy consumption than the Regional Average, and twelve exceeded the more ambitious Regional Leader benchmark – a clear indication of operational efficiency.
Habarana Village by Cinnamon recorded the lowest energy use and emissions in the group, while Bentota Beach and Hikka Tranz showed significant year-on-year improvement in 2023, following higher-than-average results in earlier assessments. Notably, all Cinnamon business hotels in Sri Lanka outperformed the Regional Leader benchmark in both years.
EarthCheck’s benchmarking assesses all sources of water use across a property – including potable water, extracted or treated water, rainwater, and recycled water – to provide a full picture of water consumption and efficiency.
Cinnamon’s benchmarking results reflected a strong focus on water efficiency, with 80% of properties using less potable water than both the Regional Average and the Regional Leader benchmarks.
Cinnamon Citadel Kandy recorded the lowest potable water use across the group, while properties in the Maldives also performed strongly. Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa, for example, achieved one of the lowest potable water consumption rates and reached a 46% water recycling rate in 2023 through improved collection and reuse initiatives.
Landfilling is one of the most environmentally damaging forms of waste disposal, contributing to emissions, pollution and the loss of recyclable materials, making landfill reduction a priority for sustainable operations. EarthCheck’s benchmarking process includes both waste-to-landfill and recycling efforts as key indicators of environmental performance.
Ten Cinnamon properties produced less landfilled waste than the Regional Average, and eight also exceeded the Regional Leader benchmark. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy again led the way, reducing landfilled waste by 59% compared to the Regional Average. Group-wide, recycling rates also improved by 7% in 2023, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact through better separation, reuse and diversion practices.
Nestled along the banks of the Mahaweli River, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy offers a tranquil escape surrounded by natural beauty. But beyond its peaceful setting, the property has become a standout example of sustainable performance within the group.
Compared to the Regional Average, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy achieved:
These outcomes were made possible through a series of targeted initiatives, including efficient energy management, advanced water-saving practices, and improved waste separation and recycling programs.
“Cinnamon Citadel Kandy has become a benchmark within our group,” Singhawansa says. “Their success is proof that operational excellence and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.”
Dr. Newman adds that the property demonstrates how “even small, well-executed changes can lead to meaningful results over time”, and is “setting a high standard for sustainability across the group”.
The report shows that Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is actively integrating sustainability into everyday operations. This commitment reflects a broader vision to blend environmental responsibility with timeless hospitality and luxury.
“At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, we don’t see sustainability and luxury as opposing forces,” Singhawansa says. “They are complementary. True hospitality means caring for our guests, our people, and the planet we all share.”
Looking ahead, Cinnamon will continue working closely with EarthCheck to build on the progress made so far. As Stewart Moore, CEO of EarthCheck, explains: “Our role at EarthCheck is to turn sustainability aspirations into measurable outcomes. Cinnamon’s commitment to benchmarking and data-driven action ensures they are not just making promises, but delivering results.”
By using data to guide long-term decision-making, the group is placing sustainability at the heart of its strategy, with a vision to lead the region in responsible tourism.
“We are proud to lead the way in environmentally responsible hospitality in Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” Singhawansa says. “But we’re just getting started. Our vision is to set new standards for the region and inspire the industry as a whole.”
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