Excellencies, esteemed guests, members of government, representatives of the private sector, international partners, and dear colleagues,
It is with honour and responsibility that, on behalf of the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-TL), I address you at the Tourism Investment Forum 2025. This gathering, promoted by the IX Government with the indispensable support of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, is a strategic platform to identify concrete paths to stimulate the tourism sector in Timor-Leste. We thank the Government for the initiative and leadership, which reflect the vision of a country that recognises tourism as a central pillar of economic, social, and cultural development.
This forum presents an opportunity to identify feasible solutions to stimulate tourism in Timor-Leste. Many of us are aware of the challenging reality, as well as the opportunities the sector offers: job creation, increased state revenue, valorisation of our heritage, and momentum for the economic sustainability of local communities.
For 23 years now, since the restoration of our independence, what is our principal challenge in the tourism sector? What causes fewer visits or fewer tourists? What is missing for tourism to deliver the desired impulse? Insufficient infrastructure? Limited facilities? Security concerns? Inadequate connectivity? Among other challenges. The answer is neither simple nor singular. What matters is coordinated action between the public and private sectors, with clear goals, defined timelines, and shared responsibility.
What the public sector should do; what the private sector can contribute
The advancement of this progress depends on all of us. I speak here on behalf of the private sector and present the contribution we can make:
§ The private sector can contribute:
§ Sustainable investment in tourism projects, focusing on quality, visitor experience, and differentiation.
§ Public-private partnerships to unlock projects of public interest, with transparent governance standards.
§ Innovation in tourism products (ecotourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, adventure tourism, gastronomic tourism) tailored to our unique characteristics.
§ Capacity building of human resources, knowledge transfer, and cooperation with universities and technical centres.
§ International promotion of Timor-Leste as a destination, aligned with the Government’s marketing and communications strategies.
We possess the conditions to develop the tourism sector with a positive impact on state revenue, job creation, and the sustainability of our economy. It is time to act with clarity, planning, and responsibility.
We align with the message of our Prime Minister, Maun Boot Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão,delivered at the Australia–Timor-Leste Economic and Business Conference: the importance of “assessing after each conference or economic and business forum.” Only in this way can we measure impact, progress, and return for the development of business and the economy of our country. Ongoing evaluation is not merely a collective memory exercise; it is the basis for adjusting policies, correcting course, and strengthening the confidence of investors, visitors, and communities. At this forum, we propose the creation of a simple impact-evaluation mechanism, with clear indicators (visitor flows, approved investments, jobs created, environmental sustainability, visitor satisfaction) and periodic reviews.
Building on this theme (Time for Action), we present a Proposal of concrete actions
We propose a set of priority actions for the next 12 to 24 months:
