Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, presenting the Gold Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Amba Yaalu, Kandalama, to Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Thema Collection, in the presence of Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India (second from right).
Thema Collection received two Gold distinctions and one Nature Positive recognition at BLTM, Delhi. Amba Yaalu – Kandalama and Wild Glamping Gal Oya have qualified for the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, with the winners to be announced in London. Thema Collection, Sri Lanka, has received three recognitions at the 2026 ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards, highlighting its commitment to responsible tourism and its efforts to create meaningful environmental, social, and economic impact through hospitality.
Organized by the International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) Indian Subcontinent, the awards recognize organizations across India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal that are taking responsibility for the impacts of tourism and demonstrating how tourism can create local economic opportunities, support inclusion, protect and restore nature, strengthen cultural identity, and help destinations adapt to climate change.
Thema Collection was recognized in three categories: Gold – Regenerative Responsible Tourism: Wild Glamping Gal Oya. Gold – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Amba Yaalu – Kandalama. One to Watch – Nature Positive: Ayurvie Weligama. The awards ceremony was graced by Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, and Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India, as the Guest of Honor.
The awards were received at BLTM in New Delhi by Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection, in recognition of the collective efforts of the teams and partners behind the group’s responsible tourism initiatives.
At Wild Glamping Gal Oya, tourism has been thoughtfully integrated into a working agricultural landscape, transforming a former chena cultivation area into a low-impact tourism experience centered around organic farming, nature, and community. The property works closely with local guides, farmers, artisans, and the Rathugala Vedda community, creating livelihood opportunities while encouraging the protection and regeneration of the surrounding ecosystem.
Amba Yaalu – Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s first hotel led by 100 percent women, was recognized in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category for placing women’s empowerment at the center of its operations. From leadership and hospitality to maintenance and the wider supply chain, the property creates opportunities for women and fosters an inclusive, supportive work environment.
At Ayurvie Weligama, wellness extends beyond the guest experience to encompass a broader commitment to responsible hospitality. The retreat incorporates local sourcing, renewable energy, water conservation, and community engagement, as well as efforts to enhance biodiversity through native and climate-resilient planting.
Speaking on the recognitions, Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection, said:“We are honored and privileged to receive these recognitions from ICRT. For us, responsible tourism is about creating meaningful experiences for our guests while also making a positive impact on the people and places around us. These awards are a wonderful recognition of the commitment of our teams and our partners, and they encourage us to keep doing better.”
The recognition of Wild Glamping Gal Oya and Amba Yaalu – Kandalama at the Indian Subcontinent level also qualifies them for the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, where they will compete alongside leading responsible tourism initiatives from around the world.
The global winners will be announced in London in November 2026. For Thema Collection, these recognitions reinforce a philosophy of hospitality that goes beyond minimizing impact to actively contribute to the well-being of people, communities, and the natural landscapes where its properties are located.
Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection (standing fourth from right) along with the other winners at the awards ceremony.
