Religious leaders in Timor-Leste have agreed to cooperate in developing religious tourism with the goal of improving the local economy and people’s livelihoods — while also helping communities grow in their faith.
A Landmark Conference in Dili
On 18 May 2019, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Confucian, Hindu, and Buddhist leaders gathered in Dili for a conference titled “Peace, Harmony, Fellowship: Faith-Based Tourism Development.” The six faiths made a formal commitment to collaborate on attracting more tourists to local religious sites, marking the first multi-faith tourism pact in Timor-Leste’s history.
The Southeast Asian nation has long relied heavily on revenue from the energy sector, while other sectors such as tourism remain underdeveloped. This pact represents a strategic effort to diversify the economy.
Key Catholic Pilgrimage Sites
Father Angelo Salsinha, representing all dioceses in Timor-Leste, noted that despite the island’s deep spiritual richness, many sites remain underdeveloped by both the Church and the government. He highlighted several sites already drawing significant pilgrim numbers:
- Mount Ramelau — home to a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, drawing large crowds every October during the month of Marian devotion
- Our Lady of Aitara, Manatuto district — established by Portuguese settlers, also a major pilgrimage destination in October
- Senhor Morto devotion, Oecusse district — a centuries-old Good Friday tradition
- Relic of St. Anthony, Fatuberliu, Manufahi district — approximately 190 km south of Dili; Timor-Leste is one of only three countries in the world, alongside Portugal and Italy, to hold relics of the saint
“So there’s a possibility for Timor-Leste to be one of the world’s destinations for pilgrims,” said Father Salsinha.
The Church is also developing sites associated with the 1999 independence referendum, including historic churches and the location in Covalima district where three priests were murdered during the conflict. Parishes and convents are being prepared to accommodate pilgrims.
Islam and Interfaith History
Muslim cleric Abdulah Said Sagran welcomed the interfaith cooperation, describing it as a sign that will “unite and strengthen our ties.” He pointed to the An Nur mosque in Dili as a compelling tourist destination with a remarkable story:
- Islam arrived in Timor-Leste just before World War I
- In 1955, the Muslim community built the An Nur mosque
- When the mosque was renovated in the early 1970s, Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart of Dili donated bricks — a gesture of interfaith solidarity that still resonates today
Honouring Chinese Heritage
Confucian leader Siu Peng Lay noted that many tourists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia visit Timor-Leste each year, but local authorities have struggled to highlight Chinese contributions to the country’s history. He proposed building a monument to martyrs of Chinese descent killed during the Indonesian invasion in 1975 as a way to connect with that visitor segment.
Protecting Local Culture and Infrastructure
Paulo Doutel Sarmento, a tribal leader from Ainaro district, stressed that tourism development must go hand in hand with cultural preservation.
“We want our ancestral heritage to remain well preserved,” he said.
Sarmento also called on the government to invest in the infrastructure surrounding tourist destinations, specifically:
- Improved road access
- Upgraded homes and facilities near sites
- Provision of toilets and clean water
Government and Economic Outlook
Agio Pereira, spokesman for Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo, confirmed that developing tourism has been part of the government’s Strategic Development Plan for 2011–2030, placing it alongside agriculture and energy as a priority sector.
For younger Timorese, the stakes are personal. Manuel Ximenes da Costa, 25, a tourism student from Manatuto district, expressed hope that the government’s support would translate into tangible employment opportunities.
“I hope the government steps in to support religious tourism to create more employment opportunities for the people here,” he said.