AI & Automation
AI strategy, intelligent process automation, hospitality technology, marketing technology (Salesforce Marketing Cloud).
Director · Commercial Technology & AI
Nisal de Silva
A decade in hospitality digital, from performance marketing to the AI and commercial systems that run a 17-property hotel group across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
About
I'm Nisal de Silva, Director of Commercial Technology & AI at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka's flagship hospitality brand. I lead commercial technology strategy, intelligent automation, and AI across a portfolio of 17 properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, from revenue and distribution systems to real-time analytics that drive measurable commercial performance.
I came up through the hands-on side of digital (paid media, performance marketing, and analytics) and spent over a decade turning data into growth for hospitality brands. That foundation shapes how I lead today: pairing strategic vision with technical execution, with a continuing fascination for where hospitality, technology, and AI meet. I also teach the next generation of digital marketers as a visiting lecturer, and I'm completing an MBA in Business Analytics.
- 17Properties
- 2Countries
- 11+Team led
- 10+Years in hospitality digital
Experience
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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts
Apr 2026 – PresentDirector, Commercial Technology & AI
Commercial technology strategy, intelligent automation, and AI across 17 properties; platform delivery spanning revenue systems, distribution tech, and real-time analytics dashboards.
Jul 2025 – Apr 2026Director, Digital Strategy, Martech & Automation
Evolved the digital ecosystem; martech infrastructure and automation; AI, data analytics, Salesforce CRM, and personalised customer journeys at scale.
May 2021 – Jul 2025Director, Digital Marketing
Led the global online narrative and campaigns; SEO, content, social, and analytics driving guest engagement and growth.
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dentsu international
Sep 2018 – Apr 2021Associate Director, Digital
Led performance marketing and analytics teams; data-driven campaign strategy for key clients.
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eMarketingEye
Jan 2017 – Feb 2018Head of Paid Digital Marketing
Led the agency's paid search practice: budgets, optimisation, team.
Aug 2014 – Jan 2017Manager, Online Marketing
PPC, SEO, and social for multinational travel-industry clients.
Visiting Lecturer, Digital Marketing · SLIM / ICBT / APIDM · 2017 – Present
Expertise
AI Strategy · Process Automation · Hospitality Technology
Commercial & Distribution Tech
Revenue systems, distribution technology, booking engines (SynXis), payment gateways.
Performance & Analytics
Performance marketing, paid media (Google Ads), SEO, GA4, and data-driven decisioning.
Strategy & Leadership
Digital strategy, leading teams of 11+, cross-functional delivery, and university teaching.
Awards
- 2023SLIM Digis 2.3, BronzeBest Leisure & Travel Digital Campaign · "Maldives Go Premium"
- 2022SLIM Digis 2.2, SilverBest Performance Marketing Campaign
- 2020"One Under 30" Young Marketer SpotlightBranding in Asia
- 2016HSMAI Adrian Awards, SilverBest PPC Manager
- 2015HSMAI Adrian Awards, BronzeBest PPC Campaign Manager
Key projects
- AI enterprise developments for Cinnamon Hotels
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud deployment with Data Cloud & Service Cloud integrations
- SynXis booking engine & new payment gateway implementation
- Cinnamon Hotels website project
- Chinese social channel deployment (Weibo / WeChat)
Education
- MBA, Business AnalyticsQueen Margaret University · 2025–2026 (in progress)
- Omnichannel Strategy & ManagementDartmouth College · 2020
- Digital Leadership MicroMastersBoston University · 2019–2021
- Digital Diploma in Professional MarketingCIM · 2019
- Postgraduate Diploma in Digital MarketingDigital Marketing Institute, Ireland · 2016–2017
Certifications
Languages
Let's talk.
Open to conversations on hospitality technology, AI, and digital strategy.