Timor-Leste wants to increase the number of tourists in the country to 450,000 a year — “the maximum sustainable potential” — according to the government program debated in the National Parliament.
A National Tourism Strategy
The VIII Timorese Government defines tourism as “an important engine for the development of economic activities, and also contributes to safeguarding the natural and cultural heritage of Timor-Leste.”
Rather than competing with mass tourism in Southeast Asia, the government’s strategy focuses on creating regional synergies with neighbouring destinations — including Flores, the Moluccas, and Kupang — to develop tourist packages that attract visitors from Indonesia, Australia, and other Asian and Pacific countries.
Timor-Leste also intends to leverage common historical and cultural ties, including the Portuguese language, by promoting initiatives within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
Why Timor-Leste Stands Out
The government document highlights several unique characteristics that position Timor-Leste as a distinctive destination:
- One of the few Catholic countries in the region, with Catholic rituals that can serve as an attraction for religious tourists
- Unparalleled natural beauty and a rich, unique recent history with several symbolic places to visit
- Great potential for mountain tourism, sporting, and adventure activities
- A long coastline and beautiful beaches rich in biodiversity, ideal for marine sports and diving
- Unique and expanding gastronomy
- Ancestral communities still living in their natural context
- One of the lowest crime rates in the world
Planned Government Measures
To achieve the 450,000 tourist target, the government proposed a range of concrete initiatives:
- Develop a National Tourism Policy
- Create the Dili Marina and rehabilitate the seafront of the capital
- Continue investing in basic infrastructure — airports, ports, roads, and telecommunications
- Upgrade Dili International Airport facilities and conditions
- Restore and dignify the Tais Market (traditional cloths) in central Díli, one of the city’s main attractions
- Build and streamline crocodile management parks, enhancing beach safety while preserving the species — an animal of deep symbolic importance to Timorese identity
- Develop a Centre for Training in Tourism and Hospitality
- Expand hotel, restaurant, and cultural and recreational facilities