Hayleys Plantations Pioneers Sustainable Tea Tourism, signs MOU with The Pekoe Trail

• Innovative and sustainable growth concepts required for the future of Ceylon Tea
• Nation-minded ‘Sustainable Tea Tourism’ will fuel global demand for tea exports and tourism sector.
• Looks to drive low-impact, high-value tourism benefiting estate communities

Colombo, Sri Lanka – June, 2023 – Hayleys Plantations, a member of Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified conglomerate the Hayleys Group, has embarked on an exciting partnership with “The Pekoe Trail,” a visionary sustainable initiative aimed at revitalising the country’s tourism sector.

Comprising three major Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), namely Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL), and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL), Hayleys Plantations represents 4.6% of Sri Lanka’s total tea production. The Pekoe Trail cuts across 6 of their 44 prime tea estates, situated within scenic high and mid grown tea trails, providing the perfect platform to promote Ceylon Tea to a global audience.

Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai commenting on the initiative said: “Our shared objective is to rebuild our nation, while creating sustainable value for all. We firmly believe that the future of Ceylon Tea lies in innovative yet sustainable growth concepts that prioritise environmental conservation and the well-being of all stakeholders. Through this latest foray into sustainable tourism, Hayleys Plantation is resolute in upholding this philosophy, creating a unique cultural experience that fosters shared benefits for all involved.”

Sri Lanka has a renowned reputation for its exquisite teas, each possessing an unmatched, unique flavor profile. When coupled with captivating tourist destinations steeped in rich history, this creates the perfect opportunity to provide a sustainable and innovative experience through a tea tourism strategy. The sustainability-focused design of The Pekoe Trail also perfectly aligns with Hayleys Plantations’ philosophy of ‘slow tourism,’ which involves leisurely travel to immerse oneself in culture and sustainability. Spanning 300 kilometers across 22 sections, this remarkable trail enables travelers to explore the tea country on foot, minimising the carbon footprint per visitor.

The captivating tour allows visitors to witness the artisanal process from leaf to cup, including tea leaf picking with harvesters, a visit to the factory led by an experienced tea planter, and a unique tea tasting experience. Tea Centers are being established at key locations, offering enthusiasts and weary trekkers a chance to savour the finest cups of fresh single estate teas. The experience caters to diverse segments, offering tourists a range of accommodation options from luxurious plantation bungalows to cosy cabanas, strategically located near The Pekoe Trail’s historic and scenic sites.

“By diverting tourists and economic value creation into lesser-explored regions, The Pekoe Trail creates opportunities for interior estate communities to flourish and benefit from the tourism-related prospects that will emerge along these historic tea trails,” Rajadurai said.

This approach aims to foster appreciation and drive global demand for the distinctive national ‘Ceylon Tea’ brand and exceptional single estate teas, serving as an opportunity for the world to witness the ethical and sustainable practices on-ground.

“This latest partnership between The Pekoe Trail and Hayleys Plantations will not only catalyse low impact, high-value tourism within the tourism sector, but will also provide an opportunity to support the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s 150-year-old plantation industry,” said Shehan Ramanayake, the Project Director of the Tourism Resilience Project, which is developing The Pekoe Trail with funding from the European Union (EU) and additional support from The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Continuously demonstrating excellence in ethical management in every aspect of its business, processes, people, and environmental stewardship, Hayleys Plantations is committed to expanding its circular economy model for the further development of estate communities.

Comprising of the three top-rated Regional Plantation Companies, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL), the Hayleys Plantations sector owns 60 tea and rubber estates covering approximately 26,137 hectares of land spanning three distinctive agro-climatic regions.

Hayleys Plantations is the first in the industry to be a signatory to the UNGC 10 principles in Human Rights, Labour standards, Environment and Anti-corruption, and to pledge to the UN CEO Water Mandate. The RPCs are also among the Top 3 Awarded Companies by CA Sri Lanka for transparency, governance, accountability and sustainability, while also being a part of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Notably, the Sector has also committed to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).