Maubara Beach Craft Fair Shows How Tourism Can Benefit Local Communities (June 26, 2009)

On 20 June, 2009, all roads led to Maubara in Liquica district (west of Dili), as an estimated 1,000 people attended the Beach Craft Fair organized by USAID's Dezenvolve Setór Privadu (DSP) project, in collaboration with Mós Belle, a project funded by Cooperação Portugesa, and the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry. The first-of-its-kind event showcased the emerging handicraft industry of Timor-Leste and demonstrated how Timor-Leste can further boost income from tourism.

Vendors who participated, which included the USAID-supported Timor Products Network, earned a total of over $8,500 in one day. Moreover, local vendors earned over $700 from food sales.

The event also saw an impressive turnout of senior government officials, including: President Jose Ramos-Horta; Minister of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry, Gil Alves; Minister of Justice, Lucia Labato, among others. In addition, the diplomatic community came in full force, with representatives from the U.S. Embassy/USAID, the Ambassadors from Australia, Brazil, Korea, Japan, and New Zealand all in attendance, as well as Portugal's Charge d'Affaires, the UN Representative, and the European Union Representative.

"We want to demonstrate ways of increasing income from tourism in Timor-Leste. The beautiful beach at Maubara and its ancient fort are great attractions, and getting people out of Dili for a day to see these sights provides a great business opportunity for Maubara's handicraft producers," said David Dyer, project manager for DSP.

"The Beach Craft Fair provided an opportunity for international visitors, as well as Timorese to enjoy a relaxing day out of Dili while also supporting the local craft producers from throughout the country," USAID Representative Mark Anthony White said.

According to Shoshana Hecker, DSP's advisor for business development, the Beach Craft Fair bestsellers included the Boneka dolls from Atauro, traditional tais, hand-made paper products, woodcarvings, and novelty items like marble-based and woven rattan furniture. The USAID-supported Timor Products Network of producers also sold specialties which included coconut soap, coffee, coconut oil and furniture.

DSP is assisting the Timor Products Network create a strong "Produto Timor-Leste" brand and linking them to new markets. In May 2008, the "Produto Timor-Leste" quality seal was launched and certified quality products have since been available in leading supermarkets in Dili.

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