Description
Bobonaro, Ainaro & Lautem Districts There is real potential for the development of cultural tourism in all three Districts under study. Timor-Leste has a strong, unique traditional cultural heritage with major influences from Portuguese and Indonesian eras. Local leaders are justly proud of their cultural heritage and keen to share this with visitors. Interviewees were unanimous in their belief that cultural tourism will provide economic benefits for their local communities that far outweigh any potential risks to traditional culture or environment. Findings about the impacts of cultural tourism in other similar countries are mixed. It is however clear that the best outcomes for local communities are achieved through a holistic approach that takes into account social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts. A strategic approach is required that includes local communities in all aspects of planning and implementation and an evaluation framework that looks at outcomes across all areas of potential impact. A number of models exist that are applicable to the Timoresecontext. Of most relevance are those models that consider the perspective of poor people, gender equality and balance tourism activity with other livelihood activities. For Timor-Leste to have any hope of sustaining its cultural and natural assets a pragmatic approach to tourism is required, a balance of direct and indirect contact to culture that will require collaborative planning between cultural, tourism and environmental ministries. Organisation/s: Art e Culture, IADE, ILO