Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry stands at a crossroads: while tourism is booming, the sector faces a shortage of skilled entry-level professionals and declining training standards. The Cinnamon Hospitality Academy seeks to tackle these challenges by building a strong pipeline of talent, tailored to the needs of the industry, and ensuring Sri Lanka remains globally competitive. Its approach combines practical, hands-on training with a ‘learn-work-earn’ model, whilst simultaneously partnering with Swiss Hotel Management (SHMA) and École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) to give students globally recognised diplomas. Through this combination it aims to equip students with the skills required to succeed in today’s hospitality landscape. These ambitions and strategies were explored in a discussion with Hishan Singhawansa, Chief Executive officer of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
What specific skills gaps in Sri Lankan hospitality prompted the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy’s launch, and which roles are the hardest to fill today?
Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Sri Lanka. But as arrivals rebound and guest expectations rise, we face a shortage of skilled professionals entering the field. This gap is particularly visible at the entry level and in specialised areas such as culinary, guest experience, and supervisory roles; positions that demand not only technical expertise but also the consistency to deliver world-class service. With Cinnamon expanding its portfolio and Sri Lanka competing against other global destinations, the demand for well-trained, job-ready talent far outpaces supply.
That’s why we saw it as our responsibility, as a leading brand in the industry, to create a pipeline of talent that can both meet today’s demand and raise service standards for the future. Partnering with SHMA and EHL gave us the opportunity to bring the best of global hospitality education to Sri Lanka. Through the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, we are giving young people a structured platform to build specialised hospitality skills, while also preparing them to step into leadership roles. In that way, the academy is both a response to an urgent skills gap and an investment in the long-term competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
What kind of students does the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy serve? How many students does it train annually today and aim to train over the next five years?
We want to attract anyone who is curious about the industry. We serve the full spectrum of students. From school leavers taking their first step into the industry to interns and vocational students seeking structured, industry-recognised training.
We also have industry professionals alongside future leaders and niche specialists that are looking to upskill, reskill or accelerate their careers. Currently, we have about 125 students enrolled. However, over the next three years, we expect to grow to 200-300 students across multiple programmes, while ensuring we deliver the right standards and experience for every student.
How does the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy’s curriculum and learn-work-earn model differ from traditional hospitality education in Sri Lanka? What advantages does it offer students in the job market?
Our curriculum follows a European-style apprenticeship model that sets it apart from traditional hospitality education in Sri Lanka. While conventional institutes rely heavily on theory, our programme emphasises practical learning. Students spend a few days in the classroom with EHL lecturers, but the majority of their time is hands-on at Cinnamon Grand and other properties in our portfolio, including Cinnamon Life.
This “learn-work-earn” model allows students to immediately apply what they’ve learned in real operational settings, gaining direct exposure to luxury hotel operations while also earning a living. Training is led by international hoteliers, providing guidance on both technical and soft skills, and culminating in the globally recognised EHL Professional Diploma. The outcome is a cohort of graduates who are industry-seasoned, job-ready and globally-certified.
What feedback have managers shared about the performance of the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy’s students?
Feedback from managers has been very positive, particularly from early batches, highlighting students’ adaptability, professionalism, and eagerness to learn. These qualities have set them apart from traditional recruits. Given the high demand for skilled talent, most graduates have opportunities to join management training programmes. Within the Cinnamon group, we offer 100% internship and apprenticeship
placements, ensuring every student gets real-world exposure. Many of our students also progress into the Cinnamon LEAD Management Trainee Programme, which offers a fast-track pathway to supervisory or leadership roles.
What are your plans for expanding the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy in the coming years, whether in terms of scale or new course offerings?
Looking ahead, the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy is just the starting point for bringing more people into the industry. A key focus is increasing female participation, which currently stands at only 12–13% in Sri Lanka; well below global standards. The academy aims to expand access and create opportunities for more women in hospitality, using itself as a catalyst to significantly raise this number.
For existing colleagues, the academy will provide continuous learning pathways through leadership development, specialised modules, and online certifications, preparing them for higher responsibilities within the Cinnamon Group. For external students, we’re planning to introduce new qualifications co-created with global partners, giving young Sri Lankans career mobility both at home and abroad.
Ultimately, the vision is to make the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy a regional hub for hospitality education, combining global standards with Sri Lankan warmth, and shaping talent to meet the needs of Cinnamon, the wider industry, and international markets.