Sri Lanka's first women-run resort aims to break gender barriers in tourism

Jeewanthi Adikari initially aspired to a career in accounting but found her calling in hospitality after a three-month training program. Now, with over two decades of experience, the 42-year-old manages Sri Lanka's first resort fully operated by women—a bold initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities in the tourism sector.

Located in Dambulla, Amba Yaalu resort provides women with opportunities to develop careers in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Despite making up 52% of Sri Lanka's population, women hold only 10% of jobs in the country's hospitality sector.

Situated 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Colombo, Amba Yaalu employs 75 women who oversee all aspects of operations, from housekeeping to security—where a team of seven former military personnel ensures safety. The resort also offers training programs to help women build skills in hospitality.

The concept was developed by hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe, inspired by his mother's resilience as a single parent raising eight children. "I knew what these women could achieve. We put together a strong team, and it worked," he said, emphasizing the need for female leadership in the industry.

Professor Suranga Silva of the University of Colombo highlighted barriers such as social stigma, language constraints, work-life balance challenges, and inadequate training, which have kept many Sri Lankan women from entering the hospitality industry. However, he noted a shift, with more young women showing interest in tourism careers.

Sri Lanka's tourism sector, once the country's third-largest foreign exchange earner, has faced setbacks due to the 2019 Easter bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the sector contributed 2.3% to the economy in 2023—down from 5% in 2018—female representation remains low.

Kaushalya Batagoda, executive chef at Amba Yaalu, pointed out the shortage of trained female professionals in hospitality but noted growing enthusiasm among young women to pursue culinary careers.

Women's rights activists have praised the resort's efforts, emphasizing the importance of safe employment opportunities. Silva stressed the need for collaborative training programs to improve women's employability in tourism.

At Amba Yaalu, some of these challenges are already being addressed. "This is purely about empowering women," Adikari said. "We invite them to join, enhance their skills, and contribute to the industry."