A family business in Sri Lanka to global eco-leader.

Get inspired by Andy De Silva’s journey in sustainable hospitality.

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, it takes vision and ingenuity to stay ahead of trends, especially as guest expectations for sustainability rise. Today, we’re speaking with Andy De Silva, the co-founder of Hotel Emporium Inc., a company that supplies eco-conscious amenities to over 20,000 hotels worldwide. Andy’s journey from a family business in Sri Lanka to a global industry leader is inspiring—and along the way, he’s pioneering products that are reshaping the guest experience.

Join us as we dive into the story behind Hotel Emporium, the challenges and successes, and Andy’s insights into the future of sustainable hospitality.

Gerry: Our guest today is Andy De Silva, the visionary co-founder of Hotel Emporium Inc., a major player in supplying eco-conscious and innovative amenities to over 20,000 hotels and resorts worldwide.

 

Gerry: Andy, you’ve built an incredible reputation in the industry, and we’re thrilled to have you here today to tap into your expertise. Thank you for joining us.

 

Andy: Thanks, Gerry. I’m happy to be here.

 

Gerry: Super! Are you ready to jump into this?

 

Andy: Absolutely, let’s go.

 

Gerry: Great. I’m a huge believer that quality amenities are essential in every hospitality property. So, I’m curious—how did you get into this industry?

 

Andy: Well, it all started with my father, who had a hotel supply company in Sri Lanka, where I was born and raised. When I was about 14, he began teaching me about the industry—how to handle supplies and understand hotel needs. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka was a war-torn country at that time, and I eventually decided to migrate to the U.S. in the late ’90s. I worked in a hotel here and later discovered that my uncle had bought a hotel amenities factory back in the early ‘90s. He’d closed it for various reasons, but I came in with strong skills in operations and distribution.

 

Andy: I always wanted to be my own boss, and after talking with my uncle, we decided to restart a hotel supply business. We initially bought and sold items like mattresses, sheets, and towels to hotels. Then, we began to focus on hotel amenities—shampoos, soaps, and the like. Eventually, we decided to create our own line, designing products with manufacturing partners. The business began in my garage in 1999, and by 2003, we were incorporated. Through lots of hard work, here we are today.

 

Gerry: So, that’s the beginning of Hotel Emporium?

 

Andy: Yes, that’s how it all began.

 

Gerry: Was there a specific moment when you decided to specialise in amenities?

 

Andy: It wasn’t a single “lightbulb” moment. We were initially buying and selling amenities, but then we met some manufacturing partners who encouraged us to design our own collections. I took the lead on the designs, and we launched a collection called Terra Green, which was very well received. That experience made me realise I had an eye for creating these products. Around 2009 or 2010, when sustainability became a big movement, I knew we needed to innovate. That’s when we began focusing on eco-conscious products.

 

Gerry: Was the journey smooth, or did you encounter challenges?

 

Andy: It was far from smooth! The first six or seven years were tough. We made the typical mistakes that many entrepreneurs make, but those early lessons were invaluable. I’m glad it all happened at the beginning of the journey, and I hope not to repeat those mistakes. Today, it’s truly a family business; four of my cousins work with me, and my uncle is semi-retired.

 

Gerry: Am I correct in saying that you’re trying to move away from plastics?

 

Andy: Yes, we’re working on it, but it’s challenging. Sustainability is a major initiative across hotels, resorts, and even smaller properties like Airbnbs. Back in 2009, we developed a product called Element, which was a self-standing sachet containing 70% less plastic than typical bottles. Later, we created the EcoPod, the world’s first fully compostable, biodegradable amenity collection. It’s a powder-based product that turns into shampoo or conditioner when you add water.

 

Gerry: Sustainability seems to be a passion for you.

 

Andy: Absolutely, it is. Not many suppliers are making these changes yet, but I see it as essential.

 

Gerry: What are some sustainable alternatives property owners could use instead of single-use plastics?

 

Andy: Many hotels are moving towards refillable, large-format bottles, buying liquids in bulk. But I’m cautious about this approach, as it doesn’t always guarantee hygiene. To address this, we’ve developed a liquid filling machine called LiquiFill. It automates filling bottles in seconds without contamination, enhancing both hygiene and efficiency.

 

Gerry: What do you see as the most urgent trends for hoteliers today?

 

Andy: Sustainability is the biggest driver. Hotels are moving away from single-use plastics, often replacing them with paper products. However, there’s a downside to using paper too—think about the trees that have to be cut down. We need to take balanced steps and create truly sustainable products.

 

Gerry: Can you tell us more about any new products you’re working on?

 

Andy: Most of our new products are focused on sustainability. For example, we’re developing items made from natural waste, like coffee grounds or tea dust, which would otherwise be discarded. It’s a challenging but exciting journey.

 

Gerry: Do you collaborate with others in the sustainability industry?

 

Andy: Right now, it’s mostly our team doing the innovations. I’m the one driving the process, but my team is the real force behind it. I’m now considering partnerships to help us scale our ideas and bring them to market.

 

Gerry: I understand you hold some patents?

 

Andy: Yes, we do. We have patents in the U.S., Europe, China, and other regions. For example, our EcoPod and the new liquid filling machine are patented or patent-pending.

 

Gerry: So, you’re definitely leading the charge in this area.

 

Andy: In the hotel space, we’re certainly among the frontrunners. Many of my competitors are also innovating, but technology and sustainability are now converging, which opens up new possibilities.

 

Gerry: Do you see any specific trends emerging in the next five to ten years?

Andy: Yes, the integration of technology and sustainability is a major trend. For example, room keys are now going from plastic to digital access on phones. A lot of our products are following this path, adding technology to enhance sustainability.

 

Gerry: For smaller properties, do you have any advice on how they can adopt more sustainable practices affordably?

 

Andy: Yes, smaller properties can find sustainable amenities from suppliers on platforms like Amazon. We offer items like EcoPod in convenient, affordable kits specifically designed for smaller properties, which makes it easy for them to get started.

 

Gerry: Can they buy directly from you?

 

Andy: Absolutely, they can purchase directly from us as well.

 

Gerry: And you’re distributed internationally?

 

Andy: Yes, we’re currently in over 50 countries.

 

Gerry: Is there anything I haven’t asked that you think is important to mention?

 

Andy: One unique aspect of this industry is that it’s relationship-driven. Despite the rise of online platforms like Amazon, hospitality still relies on direct relationships. Amenities play a huge role in this—once we supply a hotel with amenities, it often leads to additional business in other categories.

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Gerry: That’s fascinating. Do you see your business expanding further?

 

Andy: Absolutely. During COVID, we realised the need to diversify. We partnered with Grab-Scan-Go, a micro-market concept that’s like a mini 7-Eleven inside hotel. This diversification has been successful, and we’re exploring other avenues as well.

 

Gerry: This has been amazing, Andy. I knew a bit about what you do, but not to this extent. Thank you so much for your time.

 

Andy: Thank you, Gerry. It’s been a pleasure.

 

Gerry: If someone wants to reach out or follow you, what’s the best way to do that?

 

Andy: LinkedIn is the best way. You can find me under Andy De Silva, and my company’s profile is Hotel Emporium. My media team is very active there.

 

Gerry: Perfect. I’ll include that info in the show notes. Thank you again, Andy.

 

Andy: Thanks, Gerry. I appreciate the opportunity.

 

Gerry: Take care.

 

Andy: You too.

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In Conclusion

As our conversation wraps up, it’s clear that Andy De Silva isn’t just focused on business. He’s committed to leading change in the hospitality industry, driving innovation in sustainable practices, and inspiring both large and small properties to think beyond traditional amenities. From compostable products to refillable solutions, Andy’s vision for the future of hotel amenities aligns with a global movement towards eco-conscious travel. His passion for quality, innovation, and sustainability shines through, and we’re excited to see where he and Hotel Emporium go next.

Make sure to follow Andy and Hotel Emporium Inc. on LinkedIn.