Promoting and supporting sustainable and responsible marine tourism and ocean conservation in Timor-Leste

This commitment focuses on the implementation of the ‘Assosiasaun Turizmu Maritima iha Timor-Leste’s Marine Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2023)’ – developed with support from USAID. Over the past decade, there has been increasing focus and attention on the global significance of Timor-Leste’s oceans, coral reefs and marine biodiversity – and the major potential for sustainable coastal and marine ecotourism. As a global whale hotspot and with some of most biodiverse, near-pristine coral reefs in the world – world-class diving and whale watching opportunities, easily accessible and spectacular coral reef ‘drop-offs’, uncrowded beaches and seas, and intact traditional cultural and village experiences – provide outstanding opportunities for Timor-Leste to develop world-class marine ecotourism. And develop and promote itself as an exciting, emerging ‘global destination’ and global ‘conservation brand’ for sustainable and community-based marine ecotourism. Particularly in the areas of ‘niche tourism’, such as community-based and voluntourism, dive tourism, whale tourism and cultural tourism. With the support of development partners, Timor-Leste has made significant progress (particularly over the past decade), toward an established (albeit small and growing) marine tourism sector - whilst preserving and managing its unique environmental and cultural heritage. But major challenges remain for the sector – including ‘duty of care’ standards, maritime safety, licensing and regulatory frameworks, education and industry training, product development, destination marketing and promotion (including developing a strong domestic tourism market), and essential institutional and public-private partnerships – particularly to support a cooperative and collaborative approach to sustainable development of the marine tourism sector. With the support of USAID’s Tourism for All Project (Tetun: USAID nia Projetu Turizmu Ba Ema Hotu), the Assosiasaun Turizmu Maritima Timor-Leste (ATM-TL) was launched in August 2019 to provide a multi-stakeholder forum to promote and assist the sustainable development of the marine tourism sector in Timor-Leste. Significantly, the ‘ATM-TL Marine Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2023)’ provides a ‘blueprint’ ie. an overarching framework and detailed action and implementation plan, to assist and guide the development of the marine tourism sector in Timor-Leste. With a clear vision and objective of providing a foundation for sustainable tourism, human well-being, economic development and future growth: “To develop a prosperous and sustainable marine tourism sector built upon the protection, celebration and understanding of Timor-Leste's globally-significant marine ecosystems and cultural heritage” [Vision of the ATM-TL] The major strategic objectives of the ATM-TL Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2023) are to: (i) Collaboratively develop a coordinated, diverse and responsible marine tourism sector in Timor-Leste. (ii) Develop a Timor-Leste ‘blue brand’ and position the country as a global marine ecotourism destination. (iii) Strengthen the marine ecotourism sector through marine education, environmental protection and community-based marine ecotourism. With the major challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic (since 2019), the ATM-TL has identified the building of a resilient and diverse marine tourism sector as a major priority, including strengthening its commitment to developing a strong, domestic marine tourism market.