Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Walkers Tours have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC SL), aligning two of the nation’s premier travel brands with the national sporting body.
The agreement designates Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hospitality Partner and Walkers Tours as the Official Transportation Partner for NOC SL. This collaboration aims to provide visiting international teams, officials, and Olympic-affiliated delegations with a seamless hospitality and mobility experience in Sri Lanka.
This development is timely for Sri Lanka, as Asian destinations vie for hosting tournaments, training camps, and multi-sport events. Offering reliable accommodation and transport services is becoming increasingly essential for securing bids and establishing credibility.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will offer preferential accommodation rates to delegations visiting through NOC SL, along with tailored hosting packages for official events, subject to availability. Additionally, its properties will be available for press conferences and other engagements under Olympic protocols.
Walkers Tours will oversee transportation and destination management services, providing discounted rates and logistical support for visiting teams and officials. The company will also assist in major sporting events facilitated by NOC SL.
“Sport and travel are closely linked, particularly at the international level,” said Hishan Singhawansa, CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. “When national teams and officials travel, they expect efficiency and convenience. Through this partnership, we are formalizing our role in supporting Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar with the right hospitality infrastructure.”
Mr. Rifdy Fahmy, Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka, commented, “As the National Olympic Committee, our mission extends beyond preparing athletes for competition. We are committed to creating an environment where international sporting communities feel welcomed and supported. This partnership with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Walkers Tours strengthens our operational readiness, ensuring that accommodation, transport, and event coordination meet the highest standards. Together, we are advancing Sri Lanka’s reputation as a premier destination for sports tourism and global sporting events.”
Beyond operational collaboration, the partnership includes joint promotional and media initiatives to position Sri Lanka as a viable destination for international sporting events and athlete travel. Cinnamon will receive recognition across NOC SL’s official communications, including digital platforms and event publications.
As sports tourism continues to grow in the region, this collaboration is a strategic effort to align established private-sector operators with the national sports body, creating a consistent offering for international stakeholders. For Sri Lanka, the goal is to transform sporting engagements into sustained visitor flows and long-term benefits for both tourism and sports.
Caption: Left to Right: Dushyantha Tittawella – General Manager of Cinnamon Lakeside, Lal Wickrematunge – General Manager of NOC Sri Lanka, Nalaka Amaratunga – CEO of Walkers Tours, Dilshan Mohamed – Chairman of the Marketing & Sponsorship Committee of NOC Sri Lanka, Rifdy Fahmy – Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka, Hishan Singhawansa – CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Imran Noordeen – Director Sales & Marketing Cinnamon Hotels Colombo Sector, Radhey Tawar – CCO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
