by As a Sri Lankan who has lived and breathed hospitality across multiple continents, I carry with me not just a passport stamped with the names of 85 cities, but memories, challenges, and insights that have shaped my philosophy as a hotelier. My journey spans the sun-drenched coasts of the Maldives, the spice-scented breeze of Zanzibar, the lush hills of Rwanda, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, the rich traditions of Turkey, the vibrant chaos of Thailand, the glittering skyline of the UAE, and of course, the place where it all began—Sri Lanka.
With over 276 TripAdvisor reviews, 223 shared photos, and more than 325,000 global views on my travel experiences, I’ve become a storyteller of hotels, food, culture, and human interaction. But today, this is not about just another destination. This is about how the world has shaped me—and how, in turn, I see a new horizon for Sri Lankan tourism.
Hospitality Across Borders: What I Learned from Eight Distinct Cultures
Sri Lanka – My Home and Compass
Starting my career in Sri Lanka gave me my moral and professional compass. We Sri Lankans are naturally hospitable. It’s in our culture to greet strangers with a smile and offer them tea before a conversation. However, being hospitable and being in the hospitality industry are not one and the same. My early years here taught me discipline, the value of humility, and the art of multitasking in high-pressure environments.
Sri Lanka taught me to look beyond numbers and ratings. It taught me that a guest is more than a transaction—they’re a chapter in your story. Our strength lies in our humanity. And yet, we must evolve, modernise, and professionalise without losing our soul.
Maldives – The Luxury of Simplicity
In the Maldives, I learned the power of environment-driven luxury. Guests didn’t just come for five-star rooms—they came for barefoot luxury, eco-conscious experiences, and emotional connection. What amazed me was the ability to deliver high-end service on isolated islands with logistical challenges. I learned to be resourceful, to build sustainable supply chains, and to deliver excellence where nature dictated the rules.
The Maldives also sharpened my ability to anticipate ultra-high expectations from global clientele, to balance luxury with environmental stewardship, and to build seamless guest experiences amidst natural limitations. This taught me that the setting is only part of the equation—it’s the service that makes or breaks a memory.
Zanzibar, Tanzania – The Fusion of Cultures
Zanzibar offered me an eclectic mix of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. The culture here is vibrant, the food spicy and soulful, and the people radiate warmth. Here, I learned that authenticity in service comes from cultural immersion. It’s not enough to have uniformed staff and polished facilities—guests want stories, histories, and real interactions.
I worked closely with local communities, explored stone town alleys filled with history, and took inspiration from Swahili design and African hospitality. Zanzibar’s ability to blend history and leisure into a single tourist experience should be a case study for Sri Lanka’s heritage cities like Galle and Jaffna.
Rwanda – Rising from the Ashes
Rwanda’s transformation post-genocide is nothing short of a miracle. In Kigali and beyond, I witnessed the power of healing through tourism. The focus wasn’t just on wildlife safaris but on community-based tourism, conservation, and storytelling. The country taught me that hospitality can be a vehicle for peace and social empowerment.
Rwanda’s “Visit and Conserve” model—where tourists directly contribute to local development—should inspire us in Sri Lanka to design more ethical, inclusive, and responsible tourism projects. I learned that when tourism is aligned with national healing and ecological care, it becomes a force far greater than economic gain.
Saudi Arabia – Tradition Meets Vision 2030
My time in Saudi Arabia coincided with a transformative era. Once deeply traditional and closed to international tourism, the Kingdom began opening its doors under Vision 2030. I witnessed firsthand how policy reform, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation can coexist. Working here taught me adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and the importance of aligning hospitality with national vision.
Saudi Arabia’s rapid hotel development, mega projects like NEOM, and focus on religious tourism integration have many lessons for Sri Lanka. They showed how strategic vision, when backed by infrastructure and education, can unlock dormant tourism potential. The country taught me that speed and scale matter—but so does staying true to your cultural identity.
Turkey – Where Hospitality is a Heritage
Few countries blend history, spirituality, and hospitality as seamlessly as Turkey. Whether you’re sipping tea in a Bosphorus café or exploring the underground cities of Cappadocia, Turkish hospitality is deeply cultural and personal. I was fascinated by their ability to integrate centuries-old traditions into modern-day tourism.
Turkey showed me the power of national branding. Every Turkish meal, handicraft, or dance performance seems to tell a story of empire, trade, and art. Their hospitality training system is rigorous, but so is their sense of pride in hosting. I believe Sri Lanka can take notes from Turkey in reviving our own artisan sectors, traditional performance arts, and culinary heritage.
Thailand – The Land of Service Excellence
Thailand is one of the few countries where service feels like a sacred duty. Whether in a luxury resort or a humble street stall, the Thai smile is ever-present. I travelled extensively through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi—absorbing not just hospitality techniques, but also the quiet discipline that fuels them.
The balance Thailand strikes between backpacker appeal and ultra-luxury resorts is commendable. From tuk-tuk rides to rooftop dining, it’s a masterclass in layered tourism. Sri Lanka can certainly learn from Thailand’s ability to cater to multiple tourist demographics without compromising on consistency or brand image.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) – The Future of Hospitality
The UAE is not just building hotels—it’s building experiences. From sky-high brunches in Dubai to desert safaris in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is an experiential laboratory. Working with teams there made me think bigger, think digital, and think futuristic.
Service here is backed by world-class technology and data analytics. But behind all the glitter lies a disciplined work culture that values training, performance metrics, and guest satisfaction science. The UAE taught me that data and warmth can co-exist. And that a world-class guest experience often begins long before check-in—online, on apps, through reputation management.
Tourism Trends Through My Lens: A Global Perspective for Sri Lanka
With a global understanding of tourism trends, I believe Sri Lanka must pivot to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic, experience-driven economy. Here’s what we can learn and adapt:
1. Experience Over Luxury
Globally, travelers are moving away from cookie-cutter luxury. They seek meaningful experiences—cooking with locals, exploring hidden waterfalls, attending indigenous festivals. Sri Lanka’s vast cultural and natural diversity is our golden ticket. From Jaffna’s spicy culinary secrets to the spiritual essence of Mihintale during Poson, we have what the world wants.
2. Storytelling Is the New Marketing
In Zanzibar and Rwanda, guests remembered stories—not just rooms. Sri Lankan hospitality brands must focus on storytelling. Who built this hotel? What was this land before? What local produce is used in your kitchen? Stories create emotional bonds—and loyal customers.
3. Sustainability is Non-Negotiable
Tourists today are highly conscious of their footprint. In Maldives, every resort is evaluated for its eco-initiatives—from coral regeneration to zero plastic policies. In Sri Lanka, our initiatives are sporadic. We need an industry-wide shift toward sustainable practices—waste reduction, ethical sourcing, and community-based employment.
4. Human Resource is Our Strength
Despite our economic challenges, Sri Lankans continue to dominate global hospitality. From Dubai to Doha, our people are praised for their manners, resilience, and work ethic. However, the brain drain is real. We must create reasons for our talent to stay—through better wages, structured career paths, and recognition.
5. Regional Branding Is Key
Just like Tanzania sells Serengeti and Rwanda sells gorilla trekking, we must brand our regions uniquely. Nuwara Eliya should be marketed as “Little England,” Arugam Bay as a world-class surf hub, and Jaffna as a heritage haven. Blanket “Visit Sri Lanka” slogans no longer cut through the noise.
6. Festivals as Flagships
Thailand markets Songkran. India sells Holi. Sri Lanka must internationalise Poson, Esala Perahera, and Sinhala Avurudu. Festival-based tourism brings both volume and value. With the right infrastructure, we can turn our festivals into regional events that draw repeat tourists.
My Journey on TripAdvisor: More Than Just Reviews
Since I joined TripAdvisor in December 2012, my journey has been about more than travel. It’s been about connection. Whether I wrote about a sunset in Hulhumalé or a café in Galle Fort, I made it a point to respect local voices and highlight authentic moments.
My badges like “Hotel Explorer,” “Luxury Seeker,” “Nature Guide,” and “Fine Dining Fan” are not just digital icons. They represent the diversity of experiences I’ve sought. From five-star resorts in the UAE to humble family-run guesthouses in Ella, I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum—and loved both.
With over 325,000 views and hundreds of contributions, I feel a responsibility to speak honestly. To praise, but also critique. To guide, not advertise. And to show that travel is not about escape—but about return. A return to yourself, to humility, and to a deeper understanding of the world.
Sri Lanka’s Future in Hospitality: Where Do We Go from Here?
We are at a crossroads. The world is curious about Sri Lanka again. Our post-crisis tourism revival has caught international attention, but momentum alone isn’t enough. Here’s my vision:
- Create a National Hospitality Institute that aligns with international standards, offering real-world training in soft skills, languages, and emotional intelligence.
- Incentivize local entrepreneurs in emerging destinations—like Kalpitiya, Mannar, and Monaragala—so that tourism income isn’t Colombo-centric.
- Launch an annual Sri Lankan Tourism Innovation Forum where hoteliers, government officials, and investors co-create solutions, not just talk.
- Promote tourism diplomacy by sending Sri Lankan hospitality professionals as goodwill ambassadors to events and hotels worldwide.
- Digitise Tourism Experiences—introduce mobile apps, virtual tours, QR-based history guides, and booking integrations for domestic travelers as well.
Final Reflections
Travel has taught me humility, broadened my mind, and deepened my love for Sri Lanka. The sun may rise over the Arabian deserts or set over the Indian Ocean in Maldives, but home is where my heart—and hope—resides. As a Sri Lankan hotelier, I carry with me the soul of our island wherever I go.
It’s time we believe in the magic we already have. Let’s elevate, not imitate. Let’s inspire, not react. And above all, let us serve—not because we must, but because we care.