Following the success of the previous year’s event, USAID’s Tourism For All Project organised an awards programme to recognise people who made an outstanding contribution to tourism in Timor-Leste in 2021. To reflect an exceptionally difficult year for tourism businesses, three award categories were introduced:
- Turizmu Ba Ema Hotu Tourism Champion
- Turizmu Ba Ema Hotu Climate Champion
- Turizmu Ba Ema Hotu Solidarity Champion
Category 1: Tourism Champion
This award recognises any individual, company, or tourism-based organisation that has gone the extra mile to welcome visitors or helped create exceptional experiences for tourists. Nominees may also include individuals who have worked for many years to develop or promote the tourism industry in Timor-Leste.
Nominees do not need to be directly employed by a tour operator, hotel, or restaurant. The award looks for Champions who have demonstrated a spirit of hospitality in their actions — offering a warm welcome to guests and creating outstanding tourism experiences.
Selection Criteria
Winners are selected by a panel using a scoring system based on the following:
- Sustained effort in supporting the development of tourism in Timor-Leste and in promoting and protecting the country’s tourism assets and products (especially on a voluntary basis)
- Exemplary customer service by individuals working in the tourism industry
- Response to tourists in difficulty or with special needs
- Actions that demonstrate a strong spirit of hospitality
- Community partnership
- Application of the principles of sustainable tourism
- Creating innovative tourism products
The number of nominations received is also taken into account.
2020 Tourism Champions (Not Eligible in 2021)
Last year’s winners are not eligible for re-nomination. The 2020 Tourism Champions were:
- Anastacio Madeira Araujo – Timor Unearthed
- Barry’s Place, Atauro
- Dilicious Timor
- Elfan Da Costa – Timor Fixer
- East Timor Development Agency
- Fernando Carvalho Gama – Taxi Tours
- Gil Horacio Boavida – HASATIL
- Marcea Exposto – Duty Manager at Discovery Inn
- Pro Ema Restaurant School
- Projeto Montanha
Category 2: Climate Champion
Environmental issues — including climate change, extreme weather events, pollution, and waste disposal — pose serious threats to the future of sustainable tourism in Timor-Leste. The Climate Champion award recognises tourism-based companies, organisations, or individuals that have consistently applied the principles of sustainable tourism to their business or activity.
Selection Criteria
Nominees are judged on criteria including:
- Using recyclable or biodegradable packaging
- Adopting alternative energies such as solar power in operations
- Engaging with the community in regular activities such as garbage clean-ups and raising awareness of climate change issues
- Measures taken to help mitigate climate change and reduce carbon footprint (e.g. buying local products, tree planting)
- Water and energy conservation
- Wildlife protection
- Responsible waste disposal
The number of nominations received is also taken into account. Previous winners are eligible to be re-nominated for this category.
Category 3: Solidarity Champion
The combined impact of flooding and COVID-19 placed severe strain on an already struggling tourism industry in 2021. Despite this, many tourism businesses demonstrated solidarity with their communities by engaging in relief operations for flood victims and setting benchmarks for COVID-19 protective measures.
This award recognises tourism businesses or tourism-related organisations based in Timor-Leste that showed an outstanding spirit of solidarity with their communities during these times of crisis.
Selection Criteria
Nominees are judged on criteria including:
- Adapting business operations to comply with COVID-19 precautions
- Providing support for vulnerable communities affected by the COVID-19 crisis
- Raising awareness of protective measures related to COVID-19
- Raising funds and seeking donations for flood victims
- Operating food preparation and distribution centres for flood victims
The number of nominations received is taken into account, and documentary evidence of fundraising activity for victims is required. Previous winners are eligible to be re-nominated for this category.
Nomination Rules
- Nominees may not include yourself, family members, or staff and owners of companies where you are employed
- Nominations closed on 30 July 2021