- City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Walkers Tours partner with FitsAir to unlock seamless travel from Gujarat
- Tri-weekly flights from Ahmedabad starting May 15; bookings open today with attractive holiday packages
- Over 25,000 Gujaratis visit Sri Lanka annually; visa-on-arrival boosts travel convenience
- Gujarati cuisine curated by Gujarati chefs in Colombo; plans underway to extend onboard and across Gujarat markets
- Strategic expansion to cover other major Gujarat cities based on demand
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, APR 2
In a game-changing leap for outbound tourism from Gujarat, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and Walkers Tours have joined hands with FitsAir to launch direct air service between Ahmedabad and Colombo—unlocking a seamless, high-value travel corridor that blends luxury, culture, and convenience like never before. With bookings opening today and visa-on-arrival easing entry, Sri Lanka is positioning itself as the ultimate short-haul international escape for Gujarat’s fast-growing tribe of global travellers.
Operated by FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first private international airline, the new service will connect Ahmedabad and Colombo three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—starting May 15, 2026, significantly enhancing accessibility to South Asia’s first fully integrated resort destination.
A strategic tourism push from Gujarat
Gujarat has emerged as a high-potential outbound travel market, with over 25,000 Gujaratis visiting Sri Lanka annually—a number expected to surge with the launch of direct connectivity and simplified travel processes such as visa-on-arrival.
Travellers can now access curated holiday experiences combining stays at premium Cinnamon properties, including Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, and Cinnamon Red, along with multi-destination itineraries spanning Colombo, Kandy, and Sri Lanka’s pristine beaches.
Tailored experiences for Gujarati travellers
Recognising the unique preferences of travellers from Gujarat, special attention has been given to culinary comfort. While Indian cuisine is widely available in Colombo, authentic Gujarati food is now being prepared by Gujarati chefs, with plans underway to introduce similar offerings onboard flights and expand availability across other key Gujarat markets depending on demand.
What industry leaders say
Nayana Mawilmada, President – Leisure & Property, John Keells Holdings, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the Indian market, particularly in Gujarat, which continues to show strong potential for outbound travel. With over 25,000 Gujaratis visiting Sri Lanka every year, the introduction of direct connectivity from Ahmedabad, along with visa-on-arrival and bookings opening today, makes it significantly easier for travellers to experience the unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and cultural richness that City of Dreams Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts have to offer.”
Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President – Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, added: “Ahmedabad is an important and fast-growing market for us. With these direct flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we are excited to welcome more travellers from Gujarat. While Indian food is readily available in Colombo, we have taken a step further by offering authentic Gujarati cuisine prepared by Gujarati chefs, and we are exploring possibilities to introduce the same onboard and expand across other cities in Gujarat based on demand.”
Nalaka Amaratunga, Chief Executive Officer, Destination Management Sector, Walkers Tours, commented: “This partnership marks an important milestone in enhancing connectivity between Ahmedabad and Colombo. By combining direct flights, visa-on-arrival सुविधा, and thoughtfully curated travel packages—with bookings commencing today—we aim to offer a seamless and enriching Sri Lankan holiday experience for travellers from Gujarat, with plans to extend services to other major cities in the state as demand grows.”
Value-driven travel packages
Specially curated Cinnamon travel packages start from INR 55,555, offering a comprehensive experience that includes return airfare, a two-night stay with breakfast at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, and private airport transfers—ensuring convenience, comfort, and value.
Flight schedule (effective May 15, 2026)
- Ahmedabad → Colombo: 03:40 – 06:50
- Ahmedabad → Colombo: 10:45 – 13:55
- Colombo → Ahmedabad: 23:25 – 02:35
- Colombo → Ahmedabad: 06:30 – 09:40
