"Experience the beauty, empower the community, and protect the environment."
TimorGetaway is a visionary initiative led by a passionate team of young Timorese professionals dedicated to driving sustainable tourism and advancing the development of Timor-Leste. Our innovative digital platform connects travelers with rural communities, highlighting the country’s breathtaking landscapes, hidden treasures, and rich cultural heritage. By empowering local entrepreneurs, fostering eco-conscious tourism, and promoting inclusive economic growth, TimorGetaway is transforming tourism into a tool for lasting, meaningful change across Timor-Leste.
TimorGetaway was born out of a shared love for travel and a deep desire to make Timor-Leste’s beauty accessible to the world. Founded by Flora Brytes and Delivio Soares, a husband-and-wife team of explorers, innovators, and dreamers, the idea for TimorGetaway emerged not from a business plan, but from countless journeys they took together, each one filled with discovery and inspiration.
Every time they traveled abroad, things were simple. With a single search online, they could find destinations, book experiences, and learn about local cultures. But whenever they returned home to Timor-Leste, they saw a different reality. Despite the country’s stunning beaches, mountains, and traditions, there was no digital platform that helped visitors explore its uniqueness, or that connected travelers directly to local hosts and communities.
Their vision began to take shape during a visit to Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam, where they witnessed how tourism could empower everyday people. Local families earned a living through small boats, guiding visitors through breathtaking landscapes while preserving their culture and environment. Flora and Delivio were deeply inspired: what if Timor-Leste could do the same, build a tourism model where locals lead, benefit, and protect what makes this nation special?
In 2024, when the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC), funded by the People of Japan and implemented by UNDP Indonesia, opened its call for groundbreaking ideas, they knew it was the perfect opportunity. Through their existing company, Prospares WebTech, they submitted their proposal: a digital tourism platform designed to promote Timor-Leste’s authentic beauty, empower local communities, and champion environmental conservation.
From over 1,341 proposals across Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste, TimorGetaway was selected as one of only 60 winners. This recognition marked the beginning of a transformative journey. The team launched its pilot in Com, Lautem Municipality, training community members in hospitality, business and financial management, culinary arts, barista skills, creative crafts, and access to financial services. These efforts enabled local entrepreneurs to become hosts, guides, and storytellers of their own communities.
Needs Assessment in Com by the Prospares WebTech Team on December 7, 2024.
When the ABIC project concluded, Flora and Delivio knew this was just the beginning. To ensure long-term sustainability, they formally registered TimorGetaway as a company in 2025, turning their award-winning pilot into a growing national platform.
Today, TimorGetaway stands as a proudly Timorese-born innovation, a bridge between culture and technology, tradition and transformation. At its heart lies a simple mission:
Experience the Beauty. Empower the Community. Protect the Environment.
This journey would not have been possible without the dedication of our core team, Joctan Lopes, Octavio de Araujo, Guida Freitas, and Roberto Martins, whose creativity, commitment, and passion helped shape TimorGetaway from an idea into a movement.
Together, we are redefining tourism in Timor-Leste: one journey, one host, one story, and one product at a time. Through close collaboration with local providers in every municipality, TimorGetaway co-creates curated travel experiences that celebrate the distinct beauty, craftsmanship, and identity of each region, ensuring that every getaway tells a story worth remembering.
Transforming Community-Based Tourism in Com Through TimorGetaway
Training for Local Communities in Com by ETDA, BNCTL Bank, and the Prospares WebTech Team on February 24, 2025.
A five-day intensive training program has empowered 30 community-based tourism providers in Com, Lautém Municipality, with essential skills to enhance their businesses. Organized by Prospares WebTech in collaboration with East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) and Banco Nacional de Comércio de Timor-Leste (BNCTL), the program focused on business management, hospitality, financial literacy, digital marketing, eco-tourism, and marine conservation. The majority of participants were women-led businesses, including guesthouse and homestay operators, cultural artisans, and conservationists.
Participants received practical training in customer service, pricing strategies, financial inclusion, and sustainable tourism practices. BNCTL introduced digital banking solutions, helping business owners transition from cash-based transactions to secure digital payments. The training also facilitated hands-on workshops in arts and crafts, barista skills, and responsible waste management.
Immediate improvements were observed, with guesthouses implementing better hygiene practices and enhancing cultural tourism experiences. For instance, Sina Guesthouse integrated a Tais-weaving session into its offerings, providing visitors with authentic local experiences while supporting artisans.
Chefe Suco Com, Mr. Sérgio José Cristovão, praised the initiative: “This training provides a great opportunity for our community. If we apply these skills, we can improve our services, increase our income, and help boost Com’s local economy.”
TimorGetaway, a digital booking platform developed by Prospares WebTech, was introduced to participants as a game-changer for tourism in Timor-Leste. The platform simplifies bookings, promotes verified tourism services, and enhances financial inclusion, making local businesses more competitive. Participants also designed travel packages, combining adventure, cultural immersion, and eco-tourism to attract a wider audience.
TimorGetaway’s impact extends beyond Com, as it was one of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC) winners, a recognition that has enabled its expansion efforts. With plans for national rollout by 2028, Prospares WebTech is committed to connecting more tourism providers with the global market and ensuring sustainable tourism growth in Timor-Leste.
For more details and photos from the training, visit: https://prospareswebtech.com/press-release-transforming-community-based-tourism-in-com-through-timorgetaway/