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Sustainable Tourism in Timor-Leste on Atauro Island

A 2016 study assessing the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of community-based ecotourism on Atauro Island, Timor-Leste — a national model for pro-poor tourism development in a fragile, post-conflict small island state.

Overview

Timor-Leste, as a small island developing state and a fragile, post-conflict nation, faces major human development challenges — particularly in poverty alleviation, rural economic development, and the diversification of its ‘non-oil’ economy.

Tourism has been identified as a key sector for economic development in the Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030, with community-based ecotourism (CBET) and pro-poor tourism (PPT) identified as the primary tourism models. Over the past two decades, Ataúro Island has become a national and international model of CBET and PPT development.

Scope of the Study

This study assesses the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts and benefits of CBET and PPT programmes for local communities on Ataúro Island. It does so through island-level, participatory mapping and spatial analysis of ecotourism assets and key infrastructure.

Year: 2016