To celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8th, USAID’s Tourism For All project organised a virtual launch for the announcement of the Ombai-Wetar Strait as a Mission Blue Hope Spot, following a successful application by the Assosiasaun Turizmu Maritima Timor-Leste (ATM-TL).
Hope Spots are special places critical to the health of the ocean that help to recognise, empower, and support local communities and governments in their efforts to protect marine ecosystems. The Ombai-Wetar Strait Hope Spot recognises the importance of Timor-Leste’s northern ocean — stretching from Batugade to Jaco Island — encompassing globally significant coral reefs, rich marine biodiversity, and the potential for sustainable marine ecotourism development.
With the nomination, Timor-Leste joins a marine conservation network spanning more than 100 countries, benefiting from Mission Blue’s expertise and support in building collaboration between partners to advocate for legal protection of its Hope Spot, with increased visibility and opportunities for education and marketing through the organisation’s global platform.
Voices from the Launch
Former Timor-Leste President and Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta participated in the Hope Spot virtual launch, which was broadcast on local television and globally through social media. He said that Timor-Leste had the world’s greatest marine biodiversity, and whilst reefs in neighbouring Coral Triangle countries had suffered damage from dynamite fishing and other destructive practices, Timor-Leste’s reefs were the healthiest in the region.
“The Hope Spot means that environmentally-aware tourists and scientists will all want to come and visit to study the Ombai-Wetar zone.” — Jose Ramos-Horta, Former President of Timor-Leste
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste, added: “I am delighted that our Tourism For All Project has been able to make a tangible contribution. Natural resources protection is vital to the United States’ vision for the Indo-Pacific and the Hope Spot designation is important recognition of that.”
Timor-Leste’s Director General of Tourism, Jose Quintas, congratulated ATM-TL on securing the nomination, noting it would attract visitors eager to see whales, dolphins, dugong, and pristine coral reefs.
“We are proud of the Hope Spot nomination. It’s an advantage for Timor-Leste, but everyone needs to make a contribution to protecting the marine environment — especially in coastal communities, as well as in the private sector, the dive centres and marine tourism operators.” — Jose Quintas, Director General of Tourism
The Hope Spots initiative was founded by renowned ocean explorer, scientist, and Mission Blue founder Dr. Sylvia Earle. The Mission Blue alliance includes more than 200 respected ocean conservation groups. In a video message at the launch, Dr. Earle said:
“With hundreds of blue whales swimming past Dili every year, families of sperm whales and many different species of dolphins so close to shore, and dugongs just five minutes away from the International Airport, you have the most extraordinary and precious blue world in your hands. Truly incredible! I want to assure you that you have mine and Mission Blue’s full support and I very much hope to experience Timor-Leste’s amazing blue wonderland myself soon: you truly are reason for hope.” — Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue
ATM-TL and Scientific Leadership
The successful Hope Spot nomination was ATM-TL’s first major achievement, following the establishment of the organisation in 2019 with support from USAID’s Tourism For All project. Bringing together coastal communities, local organisations, and marine tourism operators, ATM-TL is working to develop the sector whilst ensuring the conservation of the marine resources on which they all depend.
Marine Biologist Professor Karen Edyvane, who has been conducting scientific studies and supporting sustainable community-based tourism development in Timor-Leste since 2006, was elected ATM President.
“The Ombai-Wetar Hope Spot is a great achievement. It increases the potential to market the country as a major global marine tourism destination, highlighting Timor-Leste’s untouched, species-rich coral reefs and spectacular marine wildlife. Importantly, the Hope Spot also recognises ATM-TL and Timor-Leste’s commitment to developing community-based conservation and marine ecotourism livelihoods, and supporting improved ocean protection.” — Prof. Karen Edyvane, ATM President
Cassio Schumacher, General Manager of Compass Diving and ATM-TL member, reflected on the unique collaborative environment:
“I have been involved with marine tourism in other countries around Southeast Asia, and it isn’t always the case that so many stakeholders of a sector have the opportunity to work together towards its development. This is where I feel that ATM-TL is contributing the most: as a platform for it to happen.” — Cassio Schumacher, Compass Diving
Atauro Island: A Model for Marine Ecotourism
The Ombai-Wetar Strait passes between mainland Timor and the island of Atauro, home to Avelino Fernandes, President of the General Assembly of ATM-TL.
“The Hope Spot will raise Timor-Leste’s international profile for its beautiful marine resources and strengthen economic growth through promoting tourism.” — Avelino Fernandes, ATM-TL General Assembly President
Atauro made international headlines in 2016 following the publication of a Conservation International survey, which found the island had the most biodiverse waters in the world. For most of the year, the island is too arid for agriculture, and local communities rely on fishing to support their families. The challenge is to develop alternative livelihoods through tourism while protecting the marine environment.
Prof. Edyvane highlighted Atauro as a benchmark for the rest of the country:
“Atauro Island is showing us how best to progress marine ecotourism and ocean conservation nationwide. It’s the recognised birthplace of ecotourism in Timor-Leste — it also pioneered the nation’s first eco-lodge, planned, built and led entirely by the local community, with very little support from the international community. The important lesson here is that actions really need to be local, targeted and community-led to be sustainable — and they don’t always need to be big and expensive.”
Before the COVID-19 crisis, Timor-Leste — and particularly Atauro Island — were poised to see a significant increase in dive tourism. Local businesses had begun to emerge to cater to visitors, including handicraft workshops, guesthouses, and land-based excursions. Prof. Edyvane saw the pause as an opportunity for renewal:
“We still have a lot of hard work ahead. But this pause can be a silver lining and lead to a new beginning and reimagination of how tourism in Timor-Leste can be more robust, profitable and impactful in the future. This is an opportunity to galvanize tourism stakeholders and reboot tourism in alignment with the National Tourism Policy. When businesses reopen their doors, a new chapter will begin for Timor-Leste tourism.”