The awards ceremony, held on 23rd October 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), was graced by the Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, under whose distinguished patronage the event took place. The occasion also saw the participation of Hon. (Dr.) Dhammika P. Disanayake, Minister of Environment, and Hon. Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment.

Dutch Trails received the Bronze Award in the Environmentally friendly private institution category, recognizing its ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering dedication to sustainable tourism,” said Shan Meemanage, Chairman, Dutch Trails “From eco-conscious travel planning to empowering local communities, our mission has always been to preserve the natural beauty of Sri Lanka while delivering authentic experiences for our guests. We are honored that our work has been acknowledged at a national level.”

Dutch Trails has consistently championed introducing novel concepts in harvesting the ample natural resources of Sri Lanka sustainably, aligning with national environmental goals and global sustainability standards. The company continues to invest in sustaining local resources and empowering communities to ensure long-term ecological balance and socio economic impact.

Organized annually by the Central Environmental Authority, the Presidential Environment Awards honor institutions, individuals, and enterprises that demonstrate outstanding achievements in environmental management and sustainable practices. This year’s ceremony celebrated a diverse range of organizations that have contributed meaningfully to the protection and enhancement of Sri Lanka’s environment.

These awards stand as a testament to Dutch Trails’ enduring commitment to sustainability and inspire the company to further strengthen its environmental and community-focused initiatives in the years ahead.

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The Pekoe Trail Organization (TPTO) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Ceylon Tea Museum, located at the starting point of Sri Lanka’s iconic 300+ km long distance hiking route. Under this partnership, hikers can purchase their Trail Passes at the museum and enjoy complimentary museum access, creating a unique link between tea heritage and adventure tourism.

The museum will act as an official hub for hikers to gather essential information, while TPTO integrates its offerings into digital platforms, ensuring a seamless visitor experience. This partnership reinforces TPTO’s commitment to its Public Private Partnership model and national tourism goals.

TPTO is a non-profit destination management organization created to ensure the long-term commercial sustainability of The Pekoe Trail, which weaves through Sri Lanka’s breathtaking central highlands, historic tea estates, and rural communities. The trail has earned global recognition, including from National Geographic – Top Travel Experiences in the World 2024 & Best of the World 2024, TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2025, and the British Guild of Travel Writers.

Trail stewardship is vested in the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance and Regional Plantation Companies. TPTO’s board is led by Malik Fernando (Chair, Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance), alongside Dr. Roshan Rajadurai (Hayleys Plantations), Geeth Kumara (Aitken Spence Plantations), and Yadarshi Sivarajah (Tea Leaf Trust).

The passionate operational team comprises Pramudith Thenabadu (Strategy & Technology), Renusha Gomis (Partnership Development and Institutional Relations), Buddhika Ranasinghe (Trail Operations & Product Development), Kushlani Karunaratne (Signature Experience, Communications & Engagements), Visvanathan Thalaisingam (Finance & Administration) and Yaseen Nizar (Digital Platforms & Fulfilment).

TPTO’s mission extends beyond trail maintenance. Its core pillars include enhancing infrastructure and safety, empowering rural communities through MSME development and certified guide training, conserving biodiversity and heritage, promoting low impact travel to high value markets, and ensuring long term financial viability. Additional revenue sources include corporate sponsorships, branded merchandise, memberships, and project partnerships.

A key innovation is the Trail Pass, a digital permit granting access to the trail and app-based navigation tools. Proceeds fund trail upkeep, safety, and community initiatives.

“The Trail Pass ensures every visitor contributes directly to preserving the experience and supporting the communities that make it possible,” said TPTO Chairman Malik Fernando.

By integrating conservation, culture, and community, The Pekoe Trail is setting a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, uplifting remote areas while strengthening the nation’s global tourism brand.

thepekoetrail.org

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