Timor-Leste: The new tourism frontier
For the adventurous traveller, finding somewhere genuinely undiscovered has become almost impossible.
Timor-Leste, or East Timor, remains a lesser-known destination for most New Zealanders, despite its rich history and potential as an attractive tourist hotspot. The country, roughly the size of Hawke's Bay, has a population of 1.4 million and has been grappling with poverty and infrastructure challenges since gaining independence in 2002.
However, recent developments have seen a surge in tourism-related investments, with the recent ASEAN chairmanship and upgrades to the international airport signaling a positive shift. Diane Clayton, a former Tourism New Zealand employee, moved to Timor-Leste one year ago to help develop the nation's eco-tourism sector, sharing her marketing and customer service expertise with local operators.
Despite the daunting challenges, such as lack of infrastructure and poor health and safety standards, Clayton and other volunteers have been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the growth of tourism in the region. While oil and gas reserves remain the primary source of revenue, tourism is increasingly being recognized as a potential game-changer for the country.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
