From left to right:
Delivio Soares – Co-founder TimorGetaway & CEO/Founder Prospares WebTech
Sabino Freitas – Tourism Regional Officer in Baucau Municipality
Agueda Almeida – Chief of Tourism Department in Lautem Municipality
Juvenal Belo – Secretary of Baucau Municipality Authority
Domingos Afonso – Chief of Investment Support Department, Timor-Leste Tourism Authority
Virginia Clau – Staff of Community and Ecological Tourism Department, Ministry of Tourism and Environment
Celia Da Silva – Internal Relation Officer, General Directorate of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Environment
João do Carmo – Administrative Officer, Market Management & Tourism in Baucau Municipality
Manuela Soares – Manager of Dili Dirt Bike, Tour Operator Association (not in the picture)
From 6th to 23rd of August 2025, I had the honor of joining eight other young leaders from Timor-Leste in the Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Young Leaders) – Tourism Promotion B Course in Japan, organized by JICA Hokuriku selected by JICA Timor-Leste in Dili. I was represented TimorGetaway, stood alongside colleagues from both the public and private sectors, all of us united by one mission, to learn how to build a stronger, more sustainable tourism industry back home.
Our journey began in Tokyo, where the first three days were filled with lectures and lively discussions. We explored concepts like OVOP (One Village One Product), DX (Digital Transformation), and PCM (Project Cycle Management), all tools to help communities grow while keeping their unique identity alive. Guiding us along the way were Ms. Kitada Taki (JICA’s Interpreter), Mr. Shiragami Hiroaki (IC Net Officer), and two other supportive persons from JICA Hokuriku. Their warm and dedication made our first days in Japan feel both productive and welcoming.
The learning deepened as we traveled to Fukui Prefecture for facilitator training, and then onward to Tsuruga City, Mikata Goko Lake, Obama City, Kanazawa City, and Tagarasu Village. Each stop was an eye-opening experience. From visiting food and history museums to exploring natural and cultural sites, we witnessed how Japanese communities blend tradition with innovation. More importantly, we met directly with local people, tourism associations, farmer cooperatives, and fisherfolk groups who shared how they market their hometowns with pride while ensuring that growth benefits everyone.
As the program ended, we were divided into two groups to design our own “Action Plans”. My team focused on a project named “Promote and Develop the Potential of Uatabo’o Beach through Sustainable Management and Marketing Strategies” in Baucau Municipality. Together with my colleague from the Tourism Authority in Baucau Municipality, we proposed activities such as training and socialization for local communities, designing travel packages, creating tour activities, and forming a management group to oversee operations. We presented this plan to the JICA Hokuriku’s board in Tagarasu City and are now preparing to implement it from October 2025 to March 2026.
This 17-days journey was more than just a training it was a chance to see, feel, and learn how communities in Japan turn their local strengths into powerful tourism stories. The lessons of sustainability, community ownership, and creative promotion are ones we carry home with pride. We believe these insights will play a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism development in Timor-Leste.
