City of Dreams Sri Lanka reflects on inclusion, leadership and opportunity this International Women’s Day

As South Asia’s first fully integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka represents a new chapter in the nation’s tourism story — one defined by scale, sophistication and global standards. Bringing together luxury hospitality, gaming, retail, entertainment and corporate spaces within one ecosystem, the integrated resort model demands complex operations, technical precision and high-level leadership.

At the centre of this ecosystem are the women helping power it every day.

Within City of Dreams Sri Lanka, women are represented not only in hospitality and guest-facing roles, but in complex, high-responsibility environments including surveillance, gaming operations, information security and security management. These are spaces that require analytical thinking, regulatory compliance, technological expertise and decisive leadership — and women are playing a critical role in shaping their success.

The integrated resort model creates a dynamic professional landscape where multidisciplinary talent thrives. For women in Sri Lanka’s tourism and entertainment sectors, this translates into broader career pathways, exposure to international best practices, and access to leadership opportunities within a world-class operation.

City of Dreams Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond representation. Equal opportunity hiring practices, structured mentorship opportunities, leadership training programmes and strong maternity support policies ensure that women are empowered to grow sustainably within the organisation. A safe and transparent reporting structure reinforces a culture of trust and accountability, creating an environment where employees feel secure, supported and seen.

At the heart of this philosophy is a simple principle: performance speaks louder than stereotypes.

“As an integrated resort operating at international standards, excellence is non-negotiable,” said Michael Habashi, Vice President and General Manager (Property) of City of Dreams Sri Lanka. “What defines our culture is that opportunity is driven by capability and performance. We are proud to see women leading in critical operational functions — from surveillance and gaming to information security and executive leadership — contributing to the strength and credibility of our ecosystem.”

As Sri Lanka strengthens its position as a competitive global destination, the development of inclusive, high-performance workplaces becomes essential to long-term growth. By fostering leadership at every level and ensuring equal access to opportunity, City of Dreams Sri Lanka reinforces that sustainable tourism advancement is built on diversity, professionalism and shared ambition.

This International Women’s Day, City of Dreams Sri Lanka recognises that the success of South Asia’s first integrated resort is inseparable from the women who help power its vision — not defined by traditional expectations, but by expertise, resilience and excellence.