The 2017 Survey of Travelers to Timor-Leste is one of the most significant primary research efforts undertaken to understand the profile, behavior, and satisfaction levels of international visitors to the country. Conducted with support from the Asia Foundation, the survey collected data from travelers at key entry points including Dili’s international airport and the land border crossing with Indonesia at Batugade.
Visitor Profile
A significant proportion of visitors were traveling for work-related purposes rather than leisure, reflecting Timor-Leste’s early-stage position as a tourism destination. Leisure visitors tended to be adventurous independent travelers, primarily from:
- Australia
- Portugal
- Other Southeast Asian countries
Key Findings
The survey captured actionable data across several dimensions:
- Purpose of visit — Work-related travel dominated, with leisure visitors representing a smaller but strategically important segment
- Average spending — Provided a baseline for understanding visitor expenditure patterns
- Accommodation preferences — Highlighted demand distribution across hotel tiers and guesthouses
- Transportation usage — Revealed how visitors moved within the country and gaps in ground transport
Identified Pain Points
Respondents consistently flagged the following challenges:
- Limited international flight connectivity
- Inconsistent accommodation quality across price points
- Lack of readily available tourism information at entry points and in-country
Relevance for Tourism Planning
For tourism planners and investors, this survey remains a valuable baseline dataset for understanding demand-side dynamics in Timor-Leste’s tourism market. It has informed subsequent policy decisions and marketing strategies, and provides a benchmark against which future surveys can measure progress.