Redefining Hospitality Through Women’s Empowerment

In conversation with Jeewanthi Ahikari – General Manager

Set amidst the tranquil landscapes of Kandalama, Amba Yaalu Kandalama has emerged as a pioneering concept in the country’s hospitality industry. As Sri Lanka’s first all-female hotel, the property-part of the Thema Collection-is redefining opportunities for women in tourism while demonstrating how inclusive workplaces can transform both careers and communities.

The unique concept has drawn attention not only within Sri Lanka but also internationally, highlighting how women-led hospitality can thrive while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

A Vision Inspired by Resilience

The idea behind Amba Yaalu Kandalama was conceived by Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection, whose personal experiences shaped the foundation of the project. Having witnessed the strength of his mother, who single-handedly raised seven children, he recognized the untapped potential of women when given the right opportunities.

Reflecting on this vision, General Manager Jeewanthi Adhikari explains that the hotel was created as more than just a workplace.

“Mr. Chandra Wickramasinghe was deeply inspired by the resilience of his mother who raised seven children on her own. He believed that all women possess immense strength and potential, but that strength truly flourishes only when women are given the right opportunities and support. Amba Yaalu was created to provide that platform,” she says.

The concept gained further relevance during Sri Lanka’s recent economic challenges, when many skilled workers in tourism migrated overseas, creating a significant labor shortage in the sector.

“The crisis presented both a challenge and an opportunity,” Jeewanthi notes. “Establishing an all-female hotel allowed us to address the workforce shortage while empowering women with meaningful and skilled employment in tourism.”

At its core, the hotel also promotes a broader social transformation.

“We envision a shift where women make decisions for themselves independently, without always seeking approval for their life choices—while still respecting the cultural values that are important in our society.”

Leadership That Encourages Confidence

At Amba Yaalu, leadership is guided by inclusivity, collaboration, and flexibility. While the fundamental principles of leadership remain unchanged, the all-female environment has brought a new dimension to team dynamics and operations.

“Leadership here is about guiding, inspiring, and nurturing talent. Our team includes young women as well as mothers balancing family responsibilities, which has created a strong culture of mutual support,” Jeewanthi explains.

She believes that this environment has strengthened operational efficiency while empowering women to exceed expectations.

“The attention to detail, passion, and dedication shown by our team have had a very positive impact on the way the hotel operates.”

Equally important is the focus on nurturing future leaders within the organization.

“My responsibility extends beyond leading today’s team. I also have to prepare the next generation of women leaders. In an all-female environment, women are encouraged to handle every aspect of the job, including tasks that might traditionally have been assigned to men. This builds their skills, confidence, and leadership potential.”

Creating Pathways for Career Growth

Career development is a central pillar of the Amba Yaalu concept. The hotel welcomes women from different backgrounds and levels of experience, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to those entering the hospitality industry for the first time as well as experienced professionals seeking advancement.

“We welcome women with no prior experience and provide them with comprehensive training. At the same time, we encourage women with supervisory experience to step into leadership roles,” says Jeewanthi.

Through structured training, competitive salaries, and attractive service charges, the hotel actively supports professional development.

“Many women who joined with little experience have now developed strong skills and are ready for leadership responsibilities. That is one of our greatest achievements.”

Overcoming Industry Challenges

Recruiting female talent in certain hospitality roles initially proved challenging due to long-standing industry patterns that favored male employees, particularly in mid-level and leadership positions.

To address this, Amba Yaalu adopted a proactive approach to recruitment and training.

“Many women had been stagnating in their roles elsewhere because leadership positions were often given to men. At Amba Yaalu, we made a conscious effort to promote women across all levels and give them the opportunity to prove their capabilities,” Jeewanthi says.

Training and mentorship have been key to building confidence and strengthening the team.

“Behind the scenes, we invested heavily in coaching and training. As the team gained experience, their confidence grew, and today we see a strong sense of unity and pride among our staff.”

Within its first year of operations, the hotel has already achieved success across multiple operational areas, with several team members earning promotions.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

For guests, the presence of an all-female team has created a distinctive hospitality experience marked by warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care.

“Our team’s meticulous attention to detail and their natural sense of warmth create a very welcoming atmosphere for guests,” Jeewanthi explains.

She adds that collaboration across departments plays an important role in maintaining high service standards.

“There is a strong sense of cooperation among the team, and that spirit of working together contributes greatly to the quality of service we provide.”

Influencing the Industry

The success of Amba Yaalu Kandalama is already inspiring other hospitality operators to consider increasing female participation in their workforce.

“Many industry peers and visitors are curious about how we manage to operate successfully with an all-female team,” Jeewanthi says. “We have received many inquiries from people who are interested in replicating this model.”

The initiative has also gained international attention, including recognition during the anniversary edition of ITB Berlin.

She believes the concept can help address the broader challenge of gender imbalance in tourism.

“Women make up a significant portion of the population, yet their representation in tourism and hospitality remains limited. Expanding opportunities for women is essential for the industry’s future.”

Encouraging the Next Generation

Jeewanthi also has a message for young women who may be considering careers in tourism.

“Tourism and hospitality offer incredible opportunities for personal and professional growth. At Amba Yaalu, women are valued as powerful individuals who can become leaders in this industry.”

The hotel also emphasizes the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities.

“We recognize women in all their roles-as mothers, sisters, wives-and we support them in maintaining that balance while pursuing their aspirations.”

Expanding the Vision

Looking ahead, Thema Collection plans to extend the all-female hotel concept to other properties while continuing to strengthen leadership development programs for women.

The initiative also supports women entrepreneurs across the hotel’s supply chain. From floral arrangements and mushrooms to handcrafted lampshades and uniforms, many products and services used by the hotel are sourced from female-led businesses.

“Our vision goes beyond employing women within the hotel. We want to create an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs and service providers can thrive alongside us,” Jeewanthi explains.

Future plans include expanding opportunities for women in areas such as transportation services, further strengthening the network of women-led enterprises connected to the property.

Through this pioneering approach, Amba Yaalu Kandalama continues to demonstrate how empowering women can transform not only workplaces but also the broader tourism industry in Sri Lanka.