On January 11th, 2025, Thema Collection hosted an inspiring session of Thema Talks at its newly opened hotel, Amba Yaalu – Kandalama. The event was held in collaboration with Connaissance de Ceylan and Travel Design by CDC. Highlighting the concept of Amba Yaalu as the first 100% female-led hotel in Sri Lanka, the discussion was centered on the barriers women face and the transformative role they can play in shaping the industry’s future under the theme, “Empowering Women in Tourism: Breaking Barriers and Shaping Destinations.”
The session featured a distinguished panel of women who shared their success stories and the challenges they encountered throughout their careers, offering valuable insights into breaking barriers in tourism. Mrs. Subhashini Paul, Secretary to the Chairman and Business Coordinator at Connaissance de Ceylan, opened the discussion by sharing insightful experiences from her past. She emphasized, “There are countless opportunities for young women in this industry, whether it’s cooking, being a naturalist, or content creation. There’s something for everyone. You just need to go out, seek it, and stay determined. It’s all about determination and commitment”.
Following this, Mrs. Shiranee Yasaratne, Senior Advisor of Biodiversity Sri Lanka and President of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka reflected on her journey as the first female employee of the Central Environmental Authority. “I was the first female employee of the Central Environmental Authority and I worked there for 15 years and never experienced discrimination or felt looked down upon”. Encouraging young women, she added, “To the young ladies, don’t be deterred. Many women have paved the way before you, and there are those in the field who are ready to support, train, and encourage you. Women have a vital role to play, and there are countless examples to inspire you. Take the challenge, as others have done it before you”.
Adding further depth to the discussion, Ms. Subraja Subramaniam, Deputy Country Director of the Market Development Facility in Sri Lanka, highlighted a key insight, “Through our national survey, we wanted to explore the barriers women face in joining the tourism industry. Initially, we assumed stigma would be the biggest obstacle, but it wasn’t. The primary issue was a lack of awareness about the opportunities available to women in tourism.” Then, addressing the need for inclusivity, Mrs. Shenelle Rodrigo, Travel Content Creator and CEO of Sheneller underscored the importance of male participation. “Many women have overcome significant challenges to achieve success, but men also need to be a part of the solution. They have to be a part of this conversation and this community in order to increase female representation”.
As the Manager of Amba Yaalu – Kandalama by Thema Collection, the first 100% female-led hotel, Ms. Jeewanthi Adhikari concluded the session by emphasizing the nurturing qualities of Sri Lankan women. She shared, “Women possess nurturing qualities, much like mothers. In a country like Sri Lanka, renowned for its hospitality, this gives women a chance to bring forward that nurturing side they’ve learned from their mothers and aunts, sharing it with our guests.”
This empowering and insightful event, hosted by Amba Yaalu–Kandalama, provided a platform to break barriers and discuss the unspoken challenges faced by women while highlighting the potential careers in the tourism industry.
For more updates on sustainability initiatives, follow Thema Collection on social media and visit our website.