Foreigners who visited East Timor in 2025 contributed 62.5 million dollars to the economy, according to an inquiry released by the Pacific Tourism Organization and the Timorese Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
© Lusa
07/10/2026
by
Lusa
Sfollowing the survey – conducted through the Pacific Tourism Data initiative, funded by the Government of New Zealand - the “direct expenses of visitors were estimated at 1,279 dollars [1,126 euros] per person and per trip, including expenses paid in advance and expenses incurred in the country, which corresponds to approximately 165 dollars per visitor per day”.
“ Applied to the estimated number of 48,927 international arrivals in 2025, this figure was translated into a direct economic contribution of around 62.5 million dollars [55.8 million euros],” notes the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in East Timor.
In the survey, 55% of visitors went to Timor-Leste on holiday and leisure and 15% on business and conferences.
The “visits to family members and friends” contributed 10% of visitors, volunteers with 10% and research and education with 7%.
“Asia was the main region of origin of visitors [52%], followed by Europe [22%] and Oceania [19%]. The main issuing markets were Australia [18%], China [17%], Indonesia [16%], Portugal [13%] and Malaysia [4%],” the Timorese ministry advanced.
The study also indicates that 95% of visitors expressed satisfaction with their experience, while 91% stated they intended to return to the country.
In addition, 85% described East Timor as a unique and attractive destination and 58% indicated that it was their first visit to a Southeast Asian country.
“ This survey confirms that visitors value the elements that make Timor-Leste unique, namely the sympathy and hospitality of our people, the natural environment, culture and traditions, as well as our history,” said Director General of Tourism, António da Silva.
Visitors identified transport, roads, airport processes, tourist information and signalling, digital connectivity, environmental cleaning and waste management as “priority areas to improve visitors’ experience”.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment expects the sector to grow between 10% and 20% in the coming years, to reach 100,000 visitors and 200 million dollars in direct tourist spending by 2030, in particular by preparing the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which Timor-Leste assumed in 2029.