Sri Lanka breakthrough: Women-run hotels in Sri Lanka, India and Tanzania boost global tourism

Published on May 5, 2025

The tourism industry, historically dominated by men in many parts of the world, has recently witnessed a significant transformation through the establishment of hotels entirely operated by women. This shift is notably occurring in regions traditionally known for substantial gender imbalances in employment, notably Sri Lanka, India, and Tanzania. This development is profoundly influencing global tourism by offering unique experiences to travelers, empowering women economically, and inspiring a worldwide trend toward gender equality in hospitality.

Women-run hotels such as Amba Yaalu in Sri Lanka, Westin Hyderabad Hitec City in India, and Dunia Camp in Tanzania have challenged deeply entrenched gender stereotypes and begun to redefine travel preferences, particularly for female travelers globally who increasingly seek empowerment-focused, inclusive travel experiences.

The implications of these pioneering initiatives for global travelers and the tourism sector are considerable, altering expectations, encouraging more inclusive practices industry-wide, and potentially reshaping how future travel enterprises operate worldwide.

Global Implications for Travelers and Industry Shifts

The establishment of all-female staffed hotels signifies a pivotal cultural shift, with significant implications for global travelers. As women travelers worldwide grow in numbers and spending power, establishments emphasizing women’s empowerment and employment equality become highly attractive. Such hotels represent not just a comfortable stay, but also a meaningful engagement that aligns with travelers’ increasing desires for responsible tourism.

Tanzania’s All-Female Dunia Camp: Changing Perceptions in African Safaris

Since its opening in June 2016, Dunia Camp, Africa’s first safari camp entirely staffed by women, has become an influential presence in the tourism landscape of Tanzania. Situated in the south-central Serengeti, Dunia Camp quickly rose to prominence due to exceptional guest feedback, consistently outperforming other camps in the Asilia group’s portfolio of 17 safari destinations.

According to camp manager Petronila Mosha, Dunia’s guests frequently express profound satisfaction with the exceptional quality of service. This recognition is reshaping perceptions in a sector traditionally dominated by men. Previously, Tanzania’s tourism sector employed very few women, particularly in safari camps. Mosha noted that at the time Dunia opened, only two or three women were employed across the company’s numerous camps. However, following Dunia’s success, that number increased dramatically, with up to 30% of staff across the Asilia group now women.

Dunia Camp’s success demonstrates to global travelers—and especially women travelers—that inclusive practices enhance the travel experience, increasing comfort, engagement, and overall guest satisfaction. The camp has inspired similar initiatives in Tanzania, with companies now actively recruiting women guides and service staff, significantly altering the employment landscape within tourism and boosting female representation industry-wide.

India’s Culinary Evolution: Westin Hyderabad Hitec City Hotel

India, another country traditionally characterized by male dominance in the hospitality sector, also witnessed a breakthrough in women’s tourism with the establishment of the Westin Hyderabad Hitec City, run entirely by female staff. Officially opened in June 2023 by Marriott International, this initiative aimed explicitly at championing diversity, signaling a significant shift in the country’s hospitality industry.

Khushnooma Kapadia, Marriott International’s vice president of marketing for South Asia, highlighted the underlying motivations for this unique hotel. She emphasized the strategic importance of fostering workplace diversity, stressing how inclusive practices resonate positively among travelers globally. The all-female concept at the Westin Hyderabad creates an empowering atmosphere for both staff and guests, providing an environment where women’s professional capabilities are fully recognized.

Chef Amrita Biswas, the hotel’s sous chef, remarked that Indian kitchens had historically been male-dominated, despite the traditional view of cooking as women’s domestic work. Biswas observed, however, that recent trends were significantly transforming the culinary industry, with women increasingly assuming leadership roles in professional kitchens. This evolution is enhancing India’s appeal as a culinary destination, particularly among global travelers who appreciate diversity and empowerment stories as part of their tourism experience.

Sri Lanka’s Groundbreaking Amba Yaalu Hotel

Sri Lanka presents yet another transformative example through Amba Yaalu hotel, opened in January. This pioneering establishment became Sri Lanka’s first and only hotel with a fully female staff, marking a significant step toward addressing the gender imbalance within the country’s tourism industry, where women comprise less than 10% of the workforce.

Jeewanthi Adhikari, now manager of Amba Yaalu, exemplifies the significant challenges women previously faced in achieving professional advancement within tourism in Sri Lanka. Despite possessing substantial experience, Adhikari struggled for nearly a decade to secure promotions, regularly witnessing less-qualified male colleagues advance ahead of her. Adhikari described being frequently subjected to intrusive questions regarding marriage and potential family responsibilities during job interviews—questions reflecting entrenched stereotypes and biases within the industry.

The establishment of Amba Yaalu presented a transformative opportunity not only for Adhikari but also for the entire 84-woman staff employed at the hotel. The initiative, driven by hotel founder Chandra Wickramasinghe, draws inspiration from his personal experiences, notably his mother’s struggles to raise eight children singlehandedly. Wickramasinghe noted a concerning trend of Sri Lankan women migrating to Gulf countries for low-paid domestic work, often under exploitative conditions. He envisioned Amba Yaalu as a means to offer viable local employment alternatives to these women, ensuring safer working conditions and promoting economic independence.

Post-Pandemic Opportunities and Shifts Toward Gender Inclusivity

Natalia Bayona, executive director of UN Tourism, underlined that globally, while women represent 54% of the tourism workforce, only 14% achieve senior positions. Bayona emphasized, however, that the post-pandemic era created new opportunities, especially for women in rural or developing regions. She noted that tourism’s recovery is increasingly inclusive, with women’s involvement becoming crucial in reshaping a more equitable and appealing industry globally.

Women-run establishments like Amba Yaalu, Westin Hyderabad, and Dunia Camp represent more than a temporary trend. Instead, Bayona argued, these initiatives are solidifying into lasting standards within the tourism sector. Women-led businesses incorporate unique strengths such as multitasking, empathy, and effective responsibility management—qualities increasingly attractive to travelers seeking authentic and responsible tourism experiences.

Broader Impacts on Global Travelers and Future Industry Trends

As women-operated hotels continue to expand in countries like Sri Lanka, India, and Tanzania, the global tourism industry is set to witness broad transformations:

• Increased expectations among international tourists for responsible tourism and gender equality as integral aspects of hospitality.
• Heightened global traveler preference for destinations and hotels actively promoting women’s empowerment and inclusive employment.
• Encouragement of similar gender-inclusive initiatives within hospitality sectors in other countries.

Industry Recommendations

The emergence of hotels entirely operated by women is reshaping global perceptions and travel habits significantly. These establishments provide crucial employment opportunities, challenge historical gender disparities, and transform travelers’ expectations globally. Tourists increasingly value these empowerment narratives, which profoundly enrich their travel experiences.

To capitalize on these developments, tourism stakeholders globally should:

• Encourage gender diversity through hiring practices and leadership opportunities within tourism enterprises.
• Promote gender inclusivity as a key marketing strength to appeal to increasingly conscious travelers.

Ultimately, the pioneering hotels in Sri Lanka, India, and Tanzania demonstrate the powerful potential of tourism as a tool for economic empowerment and social change, particularly for women. For global travelers, the presence of these establishments not only enriches travel experiences but also aligns tourism practices with contemporary values of inclusivity and equality. This evolution promises a more equitable and vibrant future for women tourism worldwide.