Conference paper
Partnerships for Developing Tourism and Protecting the Environment in East Timor
Development of Tourism Policy and Strategic Planning in East Timor, pp.72-74
East Timor Reconstruction Conference: Strategic Planning Conference for Rebuilding East Timor, 2000 (Brisbane, Australia, 20-Jul-2000–21-Jul-2000)
University of Queensland
2001
Abstract
Tourism has the potential to be the focus for the reconstruction of East Timor. If East Timor is not to be an aid dependent nation in the future, it must develop sustainable industries such as tourism. Tourism draws on many economic sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing and has the potential to employ many East Timorese. What is needed is to develop a tourism industry that draws on international best practice to create an industry that is truly sustainable both environmentally and culturally. Tourism in East Timor is seen as a partnership between communities, investors, foreign specialists and of course international visitors. East Timor is unlike many other Asian tourism destinations. It has spectacular mountains and rainforests, wide clean unspoilt beaches, surf, reefs and a rich culture. Most importantly, it does not have large populations that so often spoil many destinations in Asia. The objective for the future government is to ensure that the benefits of tourism are received without the negatives. In planning for the future development of tourism in East Timor there are three primary goals: . to develop true partnership between investors, international tourists and the East Timorese community at all levels; . to deliver significant benefits to the local community such as employment and ownership; . to base tourism on the sustainability of East Timor's environment and culture. Therefore, environmental protection is seen as an essential element of the tourism effort. This ranges from conservation and presentation of natural and culturally significant sites through to responding to the challenges of land degradation, waste disposal and pollution of the air and waterways. While East Timor's environmental quality is currently high; it is recognised that complacency may result in significant problems in the future. The East Timorese community recognises their limited capacity and technical expertise to respond to these developmental challenges and invites the international community to become partners in reconstructing the nation, sustainably for mutual benefit.
Details
- Title
- Partnerships for Developing Tourism and Protecting the Environment in East Timor
- Authors
- V Ximenes (Author) - University of QueenslandR W (Bill) Carter (Author) - University of QueenslandB Prideaux (Author) - University of Queensland
- Contributors
- R W (Bill) Carter (Editor)B Prideaux (Editor)V Ximenes (Editor)A V P Chatenay (Editor)
- Publication details
- Development of Tourism Policy and Strategic Planning in East Timor, pp.72-74
- Conference details
- East Timor Reconstruction Conference: Strategic Planning Conference for Rebuilding East Timor, 2000 (Brisbane, Australia, 20-Jul-2000–21-Jul-2000)
- Publisher
- University of Queensland
- Date published
- 2001
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2001 The Authors. Reproduced with the kind permission of the author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450159002621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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