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Tourism: A Strategic Focus for Sustainable Development in East Timor
Conference paper   Open access   Peer reviewed

Tourism: A Strategic Focus for Sustainable Development in East Timor

V Ximenes and R W (Bill) Carter
Development of Tourism Policy and Strategic Planning in East Timor, Vol.8(1), pp.52-62
Strategic Development Planning for East Timor Conference, 1999 (Melbourne, Australia, 05-Apr-1999–09-Apr-1999)
University of Queensland
2001
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Abstract

Tourism
Tourism has the potential to assist East Timor in balancing its trade deficit and providing a sustainable industry for economic growth and employment. The development of a successful tourism industry requires the parallel development of agriculture, improved community infrastructure as well as improved general and tourism industry-specific education. As such, tourism could be the focus and beneficiary of sustainable development projects across almost all sectors of industry, for community infrastructure and social development projects. Changing of the current image of East Timor as an unsafe place because of its recent history is essential. The vision for tourism should be one of quality, authenticity and uniqueness. It should offer a distinctly different experience than that provided in numerous places within the Asia Pacific Region. Initially, tourism should be based on the adventure and back-packer markets, with a strong ecotourism perspective. Planned and controlled growth is needed to avoid the environmental and cultural impacts of tourism. The process of planning must be inclusive of the community rather than a top-down approach. Key issues for planning to address are facilities and systems for inbound travel, promotion, infrastructure development and upgrading, environmental protection and tourism skill development within the community.

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