Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
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The Pekoe Trail Organisation (TPTO) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 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 (PPP) model and national tourism goals.
TPTO is a non-profit destination management organisation 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 and 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 Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance Chair Malik Fernando, 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 and Technology), Renusha Gomis (Partnership Development and Institutional Relations), Buddhika Ranasinghe (Trail Operations and Product Development), Kushlani Karunaratne (Signature Experience, Communications and Engagements), Visvanathan Thalaisingam (Finance and Administration) and Yaseen Nizar (Digital Platforms and Fulfilment).
TPTO’s mission extends beyond trail maintenance. Its core pillars include enhancing infrastructure and safety, empowering rural communities through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (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 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.
