Strategy & Action Plan (2019-2021) for Assosiasaun Turizmu Maritima Timor-Leste (ATM-TL)

The organization aims to promote and assist the sustainable development of the marine tourism sector in Timor-Leste. The ATM-TL is a multi-stakeholder forum that brings together government, communities, industry, research, and conservation stakeholders to support sustainable marine tourism development. The ATM-TL's vision is to develop a prosperous and sustainable marine tourism sector built upon the protection, celebration, and understanding of Timor-Leste's globally-significant marine ecosystems and cultural heritage. The organization has 12 key objectives, including supporting and promoting marine-based tourism, building tourism partnerships, providing industry leadership, protecting marine tourism assets, and supporting community-based marine tourism. The ATM-TL will measure progress toward achieving its vision by monitoring the development of marine tourism across the sector supply chain, the balance between the number of international tourists and tourism receipts, and the evolution of partnerships. The expected outcome of the ATM-TL Strategy and Action Plan (2019-2021) is that sustainable marine tourism will increasingly contribute to the international reputation, human well-being, and economic development of the people of Timor-Leste. The ATM-TL embraces several guiding values and principles, including recognition and respect for traditional ownership and customary uses of coastal lands, seas, and marine resources, inclusive and democratic decision-making, sustainable tourism development, and support for appropriate tourism development. The organization is committed to following recognized best-practice and globally-recognized tourism and heritage ethics, principles, and standards. The ATM-TL's strategy and action plan for 2019-2021 will provide an overarching framework and implementation plan to assist and guide the development of the marine tourism sector in Timor-Leste. The plan will support the country to meet its national economic, social, and environmental priorities and commitments, and provide a foundation for future growth. Timor-Leste's marine biodiversity, marine wildlife, and near-pristine coastal ecosystems are increasingly attracting world attention, making it well-placed to become one of the world's most exciting emerging global marine ecotourism destinations. The country's unique and extraordinary marine natural heritage is also vital for the livelihoods and well-being of coastal subsistence communities, and ecotourism has enormous potential to address critical rural poverty, food insecurity, and community development priorities. The national level recognizes the major ecological, social, and economic value of Timor-Leste's natural heritage and the potential for ecotourism development. Both the Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 and the National Tourism Policy (Growing Tourism to 2030 – Enhancing a National Identity, 2017) identify tourism as a key pillar in economic diversification, economic rural development, and the growth of the non-oil economy. The Tourism Barometer Report 2018 (Asia Foundation) identified key areas of product development, destination marketing and promotion, and essential institutional and public-private partnerships to support a cooperative, collaborative approach to sustainable development of the tourism sector. The report also highlighted the major strengths and potential of the marine tourism sector, particularly dive tourism, whale tourism, and the island of Atauro.