Timor-Leste holds first pageant to advertise tourism

Cultural pageant a part of authorities’s effort to advertise tourism to diversify income sources

The federal government in Catholic-majority Timor-Leste hosted the primary music and cultural pageant involving individuals from throughout the nation, a part of an effort to advertise tourism and diversify earnings sources.

The pageant held on Atauro Island, north of Dili, from Nov. 21 to 24 is being attended by President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak together with 14 ambassadors from numerous international locations, reminiscent of the US, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Brazil, Thailand, France and the European Union

Greater than 3,000 individuals from 13 municipalities are additionally current together with representatives from Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province who inhabit the western a part of Timor island and share cultural similarities.

President Ramos-Horta whereas opening the pageant mentioned that Atauro can be developed right into a world tourism vacation spot.

“The individuals of Atauro should defend this land, plant a lot of bushes and flowers, and likewise take excellent care of this marine atmosphere. Atauro should develop into the form of place that pulls extra vacationers,” he mentioned.

He additional assured the pageant could be frequently held as “the most important artwork present in Timor-Leste” to draw vacationers from different international locations.

Domingas Ximenes of the Watulela tribe in Atauro expressed gratitude that the pageant was being held on the island after its inauguration as a municipality in January.

He mentioned it is going to present a chance for the native individuals to showcase their tradition and market their handicrafts to guests.

Asia’s youngest nation is in search of to diversify its economic system and cut back dependence on petroleum, which at the moment accounts for about 70 % of the GDP and greater than 80 % of the nation’s annual earnings.

Since 2017, the federal government has been eager on tourism growth and goals to generate US$150 million in income together with 15,000 jobs by 2030.

It’s aiming for 200,000 worldwide guests per 12 months by 2030 in comparison with 55,000 in 2014.

Along with selling cultural and nature tourism, the federal government can also be exploring the potential of non secular tourism, for which it has prolonged assist to the Timor-Leste Spiritual Tourism Affiliation (ATR-TL).

ATR-TL, an interfaith establishment, was launched in 2021 with funding from the federal government and businesses reminiscent of USAID.

Father Angelo Salshina of Dili archdiocese, who heads ART-TL, mentioned other than creating present spiritual tourism websites and coaching 80 tour guides, they will even be constructing a peace park in Comoro, Dili, subsequent 12 months.

“We’re working with the federal government. Our focus is on how we will entice vacationers from different international locations,” he mentioned.

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