Your sector. Your seat. Your say. The HOTL Association invites everyone working in Timor-Leste’s tourism and hospitality industry to attend its Annual General Meeting. Whether you run a hotel or guesthouse, operate tours, guide visitors, own a restaurant or café, provide transport, lead dive and adventure experiences, or work in crafts and culture, this meeting […]
Jointly organized by the Trisakti Institute of Tourism, Timor-Leste’s Ministério do Turismo e Ambiente, and the HOTL Association, the International Community Service Program 2026 successfully united over 150 hybrid participants—spanning government officials, local guides, students, and tourism enterprises—for an intensive two-day cross-border capacity-building initiative. Over the course of the event, expert speakers and industry practitioners […]
Speaking on behalf of the Hotel Owners of Timor Lorosae (HOTL) at the MYEXPO Malaysia Expo Dili, I addressed how Malaysian developers, hospitality groups, and the travel sector can partner with Timor-Leste to convert authentic, untouched assets into a viable, investment-ready destination. 1.Tourism Infrastructure Gaps Timor-Leste’s greatest asset right now is that it hasn’t been […]
Reflections from the Piedmonte Region (Turino), Italy Just completed the intensive ITCILO training programme on “Culture, Tourism, and Creative Sectors for Sustainable Development and Decent Work”—a transformative experience that has reshaped our strategic vision for Timor-Leste’s creative economy. From 15 – 19 June 2026 Why This Matters for Timor-Leste The global creative economy is valued at US$4.3 […]
For the first time in its history, Timor-Leste has been awarded UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. The Nino Konis Santana Park was officially approved by UNESCO in June 2026 at the 38th session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Why is this important? ✅ International recognition of Timor-Leste’s natural […]
what is tourism ambassador program? A Tourism Ambassador Program is a localized training and certification initiative designed to turn hospitality workers, business owners, and residents into knowledgeable advocates for their community. The main philosophy is simple: when front-line workers and community members are enthusiastic and well-informed, they can elevate a simple trip into an unforgettable […]
The General Tourism Office is pleased to announce an upcoming training session led by the Director General of Tourism, His Excellency Mr. António da Silva. This multi-date training program will take place on the following days, running from June through September 2026: 1st & 2nd June 2026 2nd, 14th & 21st July 2026 4th & […]
Passport & Visa Requirements for Entering Timor-Leste from ASEAN Countries If you’re planning a trip to Timor-Leste from an ASEAN country, a little preparation goes a long way. To help you enjoy a smooth and welcoming arrival, here’s what you need to know about passport and visa requirements. Passport Essentials: Your passport should be valid […]
Today, 31st March 2026, marks a new chapter in health and safety for tourism in Timor-Leste. Over the past two days, passionate tour operators from across the country came together for the Health and Safety Procedures for Tourism Operators training – and the energy in the room was unforgettable. Here is what we accomplished together. 📘 Day […]
Dear Valued Participants, Thank you for submitting your application for “Health and Safety Procedures for Tourism Operators.” We appreciate your interest and will review it thoroughly. You can expect to receive a confirmation email from us shortly. We look forward to supporting you in raising the standard of tourism together. Stay tuned! HOTL Association
We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming HOTL Workshop, delivered in partnership with The Asia Foundation and the Red Cross. This two-day professional development session is designed specifically for tourism operators and will focus on enhancing health and safety procedures within the sector. The workshop aims to provide participants with practical guidance to […]
Seventeen HOTL members attended a Workshop delivered by outgoing VSA volunteer, Simon Payne, on practical steps to prepare your business to work with international travel agents – wholesale, retail and OTA. For some it was a good refresher on how this complex eco-system works; for others it was a straight-forward introduction on how to engage […]
The HOTL Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029 is available in the following languages: HOTL Strategic Plan 2025-29 TETUN version HOTL Strategic Plan 2025-29 ENGLISH version
A heartfelt thank you to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for partnering with us to host a special Familiarisation Visit for Singaporean travel agents from 22 to 27 November 2025. This immersive experience was designed to showcase the beauty, resilience, and vibrant spirit of Timor-Leste—from the coffee highlands of Aileu to the pristine waters of […]
Don’t miss this one-off opportunity to enhance your tour guiding skills, at no cost. Come and hear from an expert in tourism storytelling. Diane is a Volunteer with VSA New Zealand and has had many years experience working for Tourism New Zealand in Health & Safety, storytelling and quality assurance. Limited places, so apply today.