Timor-Leste 2018 Tourism Barometer Summary

Abstract

Government, industry, and civil society in Timor-Leste agree that the tourism sector could deliver significant and sorely needed economic growth to the country. Tourism in Timor-Leste, for now still nascent, has the potential to develop into a burgeoning industry. In June 2017, a National Development Forum entitled Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Development in Timor-Leste, and in October 2017 a Tourism Symposium on Inclusive Tourism Development through Industry Associations and Marketing and Promotion of Timor-Leste Tourism was organized by The Asia Foundation with funding from the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) respectively. The event brought together over 100 participants who identified opportunities and challenges in strengthening tourism in Timor-Leste. Participants also agreed upon a strategic development framework incorporating three key pillars of supply, demand and partnership. Given the recent induction of Timor-Leste’s 8th Constitutional Government and the momentum generated by the aforementioned National Development Forum and recent Timor-Leste Tourism Symposia, there is much shared optimism and eagerness. The government approval of the Timor-Leste Tourism Policy and the Explore the Undiscovered tourism brand, earlier in 2017. In support of next steps, this Tourism Barometer has been developed to provide a situational analysis that guides tourism development in the country. It is critical that there is wide participation in the development of The Barometer by public and private stakeholders. Consultations have already been held with both the 7th and 8th Constitutional Governments, and two Timor-Leste Tourism Symposia were held in October 2017 on the topics of tourism partnership and destination marketing. It is envisaged that The Barometer is a living document and will therefore require ongoing consultation among stakeholders to absorb refinements and encourage continuity. Ideally, The Barometer will become a guiding document for any future tourism-specific public-private partnership arrangements that may be established, such as a Tourism Authority of Timor-Leste (TATL) or similar.