Often referred to as a “young country” or “a new country,” this hasn’t dampened Timor-Leste’s enthusiasm for diplomatic activity abroad. As evidence, Timor-Leste joyfully celebrated its acceptance into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October 2025, after patiently awaiting the accession process for twenty years.
This former “youngest child” of Indonesia is highly motivated to be on par with its ASEAN neighbors, including in the tourism sector.
In fact, Timor-Leste has often been quietly chosen by foreign tourists as a temporary stopover while processing visa extensions to Indonesia. Its status as a new country piques the curiosity of foreign visitors. The airport in Dili also serves direct flights from Bali (Indonesia), Australia, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Interestingly, during its two decades as a new nation, Timor-Leste has been able to grant visa-free travel (Visa on Arrival) to 32 foreign countries. Besides Indonesia, there are Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Cape Verde, Denmark, Germany, India, Lithuania, Norway, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
Tourism in Timor-Leste is still in its infancy but shows tremendous potential. The country offers a diverse range of attractions, from the iconic Cristo Rei statue in Dili to the pristine coral reefs of Atauro Island, as well as numerous relics of Portuguese colonial history scattered throughout the landscape. Community-based tourism initiatives play a crucial role in integrating tourism with benefits for local communities, serving as a model for sustainable development in this sector. Furthermore, the government is also promoting the development of public facilities and public parks, so that both locals and visitors can comfortably enjoy the warmth of this predominantly Catholic country.
