Our Eco PracticesWith Evidence & Honesty
We're a 4-month-old company that can't afford eco-certifications yet. But we practice what we preach: 60-70% of costs to local communities, 1 electric vehicle (expanding), and 20-30% profit reinvestment.
Here's exactly what we do, what we're working on, and what we plan to do - with proof.
What We're Actually Doing
No vague claims. Here are our real eco practices with specific evidence and measurable impact.
Electric Vehicle Fleet
We currently operate 1 electric vehicle for airport transfers and city tours. Our goal is to expand to 3 EVs by mid-2026.
📋 Evidence:
- •1 electric SUV for transfers (charging at home)
- •Partners use hybrid vehicles for long-distance tours
- •Reduces emissions by ~40% vs. diesel vehicles
💚 Impact: ~2 tons CO₂ saved annually (and growing)
Eco-Lodge Partnerships
We partner with locally-owned eco-lodges that practice genuine sustainability. These aren't luxury resorts - they're family-run places doing it right.
📋 Evidence:
- •Solar-powered lodges in Ella & Habarana
- •Rainwater harvesting systems
- •No single-use plastics
- •Local staff from nearby villages
💚 Impact: 60% of accommodation bookings to eco-conscious properties
Direct Local Spend
60-70% of every tour cost goes directly to local communities: guides, drivers, restaurants, artisans, and accommodations.
📋 Evidence:
- •Local guides earn 40-50% of tour price
- •Family-run restaurants over chains
- •Village homestays when possible
- •Direct payments to artisans (no middlemen)
💚 Impact: LKR 500,000+ paid to local communities (June-Oct 2025)
Community Reinvestment
20-30% of our profits go back into local communities through education, conservation, and infrastructure support.
📋 Evidence:
- •School supplies donation (Ella, Sept 2025)
- •Beach cleanup sponsorship (Mirissa, Aug 2025)
- •Planning: Wildlife corridor protection fund
💚 Impact: LKR 100,000+ reinvested in 4 months
GSTC Guidelines Compliance
We follow Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) guidelines for sustainable tour operations, even without formal certification yet.
📋 Evidence:
- •Small group sizes (max 8 people)
- •Leave No Trace principles taught to travelers
- •Wildlife viewing ethics (no feeding, safe distances)
- •Cultural sensitivity training for guides
💚 Impact: 100% of tours follow GSTC ethical guidelines
Waste Reduction Program
We're working to eliminate single-use plastics from all our tours by providing reusable alternatives.
📋 Evidence:
- •Reusable water bottles for all travelers
- •Cloth bags for shopping tours
- •Partnering with refill stations island-wide
💚 Impact: ~200 plastic bottles prevented per month
Certifications: The Honest Truth
We don't have fancy eco-certifications yet. Here's why, how much they cost, and when we plan to get them.
SLTDA Tour Operator Registration
Cost: LKR 50,000+
💬 Honest Note: Application submitted, awaiting approval. This is a legal requirement.
Travelife Certification
Cost: $2,000 USD/year
💬 Honest Note: We want this, but the cost is currently 20% of our annual revenue. We'll apply when we're financially stable enough.
Green Key Eco-Rating
Cost: $1,500 USD
💬 Honest Note: Another goal for the future. Right now, we'd rather spend this money on actual eco practices (like more EVs) than badges.
Our Promise: We'd rather spend money on actual sustainable practices (like buying more electric vehicles and paying guides fairly) than on certification badges. But we'll get the certifications as we grow - because transparency and accountability matter.
Our 2025-2027 Sustainability Roadmap
Here's what we're working toward - with realistic timelines.
Q4 2025 (Now - Dec)
- ✓Complete SLTDA registration (legal requirement)
- ✓Add 1 more electric vehicle to fleet
- ✓Partner with 5 more eco-lodges
- ✓Launch beach cleanup volunteer program
2026
- ✓Apply for Travelife Certification ($2,000/year)
- ✓Expand to 3 electric vehicles total
- ✓Carbon offset program for flights (through partners)
- ✓Community education fund: LKR 500,000/year
2027
- ✓Apply for Green Key Eco-Rating ($1,500)
- ✓100% electric vehicle fleet (4-5 vehicles)
- ✓Launch conservation fund: 5% of all bookings
- ✓Publish annual sustainability impact report
Travel with a Purpose
When you book with Pearl Routes, you're not just seeing Sri Lanka - you're supporting local communities, funding conservation efforts, and helping us prove that new companies can do tourism right.