On 27 March 2026, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts will host YOUR PLACE. YOUR POWER. – Women in Tourism Career Summit at the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, creating a space for students, young professionals, educators and entrepreneurs to connect with women who are already shaping the sector.

For Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, this initiative is closely tied to its own workforce journey. The group has successfully achieved its female participation target for 2026, bringing the overall figure to 20% a significant milestone and a reflection of the collective effort across its properties. But beyond its own organisation, the wider industry still has work to do. For many young women, tourism careers remain misunderstood. Concerns around safety, social perceptions, limited awareness of career pathways and a lack of visible role models continue to shape decision-making at the point of entry. This summit is Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts way of helping change that narrative by creating a space where young women can hear directly from leaders in the industry, ask questions openly, and better understand the breadth of opportunity available across the tourism ecosystem.

The summit will begin with industry insights, including key findings on female participation in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, setting the context for both the challenges and opportunities ahead. This will be followed by a keynote by Dulani Guruge, Founder and Managing Director of Mountain Boutiques Luxury Collection, whose journey reflects the rise of womenled leadership in hospitality. At the heart of the programme is the Industry Leadership Panel, “Claiming Your Place,” moderated by Dinushka Chandrasena, Editor Travel Talk Asia, featuring Angeline Ondaatjie, Vice President of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Bobby Jordan, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Dinali Dandeniya, President of the Ceylon Cafés & Restaurants Collective (CCRC), Jeewanthi Adhikari, General Manager of Amba Yaalu, Gitanjali Chakravarthy, President of the Sri Lanka Hotel School Graduates Association (SLHGA), Nadeeka Liyanage, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO), and Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President Colombo Hotels & General Manager Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, bringing together a crosssection of leaders from across the tourism industry. Following the panel, the summit will move into Career Connect, a speed networking session designed to give participants direct access to industry professionals through small group conversations

The event is curated to make opportunity more visible. It is a recognition that the industry does not simply need more women to join it, it needs clearer pathways, better representation, and more open conversations about what a future in tourism can look like.

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, has appointed Mr. Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, unveiling the vision to strengthen the brand’s role as one of the largest contributors to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and position the country’s standing as a global destination. With 17 years at John Keells Group (JKH), Singhawansa takes on the role at a pivotal moment, as Sri Lanka’s tourism rebounds beyond pre-pandemic levels.

“Sri Lanka has the assets to be one of the most desired destinations in the world. What we need now is scale, innovation, and consistency. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is at the forefront of showcasing this potential, offering luxury, lifestyle, and authentic experiences that appeal to travellers globally. We harness technology and innovation to deliver seamless, personalised guest experiences, while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity remain at the heart of our growth,” said Singhawansa. “Our resorts in the Maldives further embody this vision, championing international standards, sustainability, and experiential travel.”

The chain’s recently launched Cinnamon Life is a landmark US$1.2 billion integrated resort in Colombo, and the largest development of its kind in South Asia. With 687 rooms, over 160,000 sq. ft. of MICE facilities for up to 5,000 guests, and a mix of residences, retail, dining, and entertainment, Cinnamon Life is expected to create 20,000 jobs and firmly establish Colombo as a regional MICE powerhouse among Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai

Beyond infrastructure, Cinnamon is investing in fostering talent through the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, aiming to increase women’s participation in hospitality to at least 24% by 2025, and initiatives such as EmpowHer, which createsafer, more inclusive workplaces. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Nature Trails, the brand’s wildlife and experiential tourism arm, continues to act as the country’s destination experts, offering authentic, conservation-led journeys that align with global travel trends.

“Tourism is about economic transformation and community empowerment,” added Singhawansa. “Our priority is to become a catalyst for change, delivering world-class experiences, and ensuring tourism uplifts the communities we serve.”

As the only Sri Lankan brand to be part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts connects with over 30 million members worldwide through its loyalty programme, Cinnamon Discovery. Combined with a portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is uniquely positioned to play a central role in shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery and future growth bringing together authenticity, innovation, and scale to strengthen both Sri Lanka’s and the Maldives’ profile as leading global destinations.

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