JENESYS Dispatching Programme of Hot Spring Development to The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. Implementation Reports

Transcription

1 Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths JENESYS Dispatching Programme of Hot Spring Development to The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste 12 th August, st August, 2011 Implementation Reports August 2011 Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)

2 Contents Foreword 1 1. About JENESYS Programme 2 2. Outline of the Dispatching Youths Programme 3 3. Programme Shown by Photographs 4 4. Overall Schedule 7 5. Programme details 8 6. Presentation meeting 12 Conclusion 26

3 Foreword 3 Japanese specialists of hot spring for tourism promotion visited the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. The programme was carried out as a part of the Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths ( JENESYS Programme ), which has been being implemented by the Government of Japan since The delegation received briefings twice before departure in order to gain knowledge about Timor Leste and hot springs in the country, and fully prepared for the programme. With high expectations, they left Japan for their destination. During the programme, they made a courtesy call on the Embassy of Japan and visited ministries and agencies concerned to have deeper understandings on the country. Also, through visiting local towns and villages which had natural hot springs, each delegate actively communicated with people of Timor Leste. While doing research on spring qualities, they also enthusiastically examined possibilities of sustainable tourism development taking advantage of natural hot springs in the areas. This programme included a courtesy call on H.E. Jose Luis Guterres, Vice Prime Minister of Timor Leste. Also, the delegation made a presentation to government officials and private operators who were engaged in tourism and its promotion, shared their findings regarding each hot spring they visited, and made a proposal for the possibility of tourism development in Timor Leste. Since it was the first time in Timor Leste that the research on spring qualities was conducted and its data was released in public, they were well received by the concerned parties and generated a lively discussion among them. We sincerely hope that the friendship between Timor Leste and Japan and the mutual understanding fostered through this programme will continue to grow further. For the implementation of the programme, we received considerable cooperation and contribution from the Embassy of Japan in Timor Leste, National Association of Tourism of Timor Leste (ANATUR), and the other organizations and people concerned. We greatly appreciate all of their supports and efforts for the successful completion of the programme. Japan International Cooperation Center

4 About JENESYS Programme 1. What is JENESYS Programme? (Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) held in January 2007, the Japanese government announced a plan to implement a 35 billion yen youth exchange programme, inviting about 6,000 young people to Japan mainly from the EAS member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand, the ROK) every year for the next five years, with a view to establishing and/or reinforcing a basis for Asia s stalwart solidarity by expanding youth exchange. The Invitation Programme from The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste has been started from [Outline] *SAARC: South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation

5 2. Outline of the Dispatching Youths Programme of Hot Spring Development to The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste Duration: 12 th August, 2011 to 21 st August, 2011 Delegates: Hot Spring specialists (2 Male and 1 Female) Visited area: Dili, Waikana, Viqueli (Atauro Island), Meligo, Marobo Visited organizations: Embassy of Japan in Timor Leste Prime Minister and Cabinet, Timor Leste Government Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry of Timor Leste (MTCI) Visited Hot Spring sites: Pilila Hot Spring (Liquiçá) Waikana Hot Spring (Baucau) Viqueli Hot Spring (Atauro Island, Dili) Boro Larang Hot Spring (Bobonaro) Marobo Hot Spring (Bobonaro)

6 3. Programme Shown by Photographs Pilila Hot Spring Pilila Hot Spring Waikana Hot Spring Waikana Hot Spring Viqueli Hot Spring traveling by boat Viqueli Hot Spring (rock spring)

7 Viqueli Hot Spring (sand spring) Courtesy Call on the Embassy of Japan Boro Larang Hot Spring trekking to the destination Boro Larang Hot Spring Boro Larang Hot Spring With the mayor of Meligo Village (center) On the way to Marobo Hot Spring

8 Magnificent view of Marobo Hot Spring At the inside bath of Marobo Hot Spring Courtesy Call on Vice Prime Minister, H.E. Guterres Presentation Introducing photographs taken by the delegate Still receiving questions after presentation

9 4. Overall Schedule Activity Objectives Hotel Date 12 Aug (Fri) PM Assembly and Pre-departure Orientation at Haneda Airport To have sufficient understanding of the concept of JENESYS Dispatching Programme. Plane Departure from Haneda 23:30 Arrival in Singapore 05:55 (SQ5905) 13 Aug (Sat) AM PM Depature from Singapore 09:25 Arrival in Dili 14:20(MI296) Check-in Transfer to Pilila Hot Spring from Dili (about 40 minutes) Hot Spring Experience1 Pilila Hot Spring To experience Pilila Hot Spring and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources Hotel Timor 14 Aug (Sun) AM City tour in Dili: Hari Lalang Market etc. PM Transfer to Baucau from Dili (about 3 hours) Visit Baucau Old Town To visit Dili City and Baucau Old Town and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources Pousada de Baucau 15 Aug (Mon) AM PM Transfer from Baucau to Waikana Hot Spring (about 1 hour) Hot Spring Experience2 Waikana Hot Spring Transfer to Dili from Waikana Meeting on Presentation To experience Waikana Hot Spring and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources Hotel Timor 16 Aug (Tue) AM PM Transfer from Dili to Beloi, Atauro Island (about 1 hour by boat) Hot Spring Experience3 Viqueli Hot Spring Transfer to Dili from Atauro Island Courtesy Call on Embassy of Japan To experience Viqueli Hot Spring and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources Hotel Timor 17 Aug (Wed) AM PM Transfer from Dili to Meligo Village (about 7-8 hours) Lunch in Maliana Hot Spring Experience4 Bobo Lalang Hot Spring Transfer to Maliana To experience Bobo Lalang Hot Spring and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources Risky Hotel (Maliana) 18 Aug (Thu) AM PM Transfer from Maliana to Marobo Hot Spring Experience5 Marobo Hot Spring Lunch in Maliana Transfer to Dili from Maliana Workshop To experience Marobo Hot Spring and find how to develop it as sightseeing resources To discuss and prepare for presentation Hotel Timor 19 Aug (Fri) AM Courtesy call on H.E. VMP Guterres, Vice Prime Minister PM Presentation Meeting To give a presentation on Japanese and Timorese hot springs with officers and personnel in tourism sector Hotel Timor 20 Aug (Sat) 21 Aug (Sun) AM Transfer to Airport PM AM Dili 15:25 Singapore 18:10 (MI295) Singpaore 21:45 (SQ5906) Arrival in Haneda 06:00 Plane

10 5. Programme details Date 13 Aug Sat. Contents Experience of Pilila Hot Spring Outline The delegation observed Pilila Hot Spring which appears only at the time of spring and receding tide. They examined how the surrounding tourism resources could be developed and promoted. Remarks Since the best timing of the tide within the next few days was supposed to be this evening, the delegation hastily moved up the schedule, and visited Pilila on arriving Timor Leste. They seemed not be tired from the trip, and worked hard with a local tour guide and JICE staff to create a bathtub near the source of spring. Children in the neighborhood gathered around them, so one of the delegate, photographer Sugimoto, was taking their pictures. Observation of Baucau (Old town) Outline The delegation observed the ruins of a church from the times of Portugal and a market in the old town of Baucau, and examined possibilities to combine 14 Aug hot spring and tourism development. Sun. Remarks The delegate was disappointed by the market from the times of Portugal as it was in a poor state of preservation and not utilized as a tourism attraction. They came across with local children swimming in a remains of fountain, the water of which was piped from a spring in Baucau. The delegate commented how such water could be utilized for other purposes (ex. drinking water). Experience of Waikana Hot Spring Outline The delegation visited Waikana Hot Spring situated in the mountains, and examined its spring quality, temperature, and potential as a tourism resource. 15 Aug Remarks Mon. It took a little over an hour to arrive Waikana Hot Spring from the accommodation in Baucau via Venilale village. On the way, the delegate observed sceneries of terraced rice fields looking down from the top of mountains and caves which was said to be created by Japanese troops in war

11 time. Waikana was such a clear spring that the delegate jumped into it like a swimming pool. Comments were made by the delegate that tourism development around this area should be designed for tourists to be able to visit sightseeing spots on the way from Baucau (such as majestic mountains and hills, terraced rice fields, and caves), rather than establishing accommodations in Waikana. Experience of Viqueli Hot Spring (Atauro Island) 16 Aug Tue. Outline Viqueli Hot Spring is located on the coast about 1 hour by ship plus 30 minutes by boat from Dili. There are two types of hot springs, rock and sand. The delegation observed these hot springs and examined the possibility of development taking advantage of the surrounding tourism resources. Remarks Since the boat bound for Viqueli was swinging up and down so hard, the delegate seemed not too good, but they became well on arriving the first destination, the rock spring. Everyone enjoyed a clear ocean of the tropical land and the scenery of the Atauro Island while on a small boat. At the sand spring, they enjoyed a cool breeze under big mangroves, so some commented that combination of beach resort and marine leisure would be suitable. Courtesy Call on Embassy of Japan in Timor Leste Outline Ambassador explained about national challenge of Timor Leste which was now undertaken based on the strategic development plan. He also encouraged the delegation to make the most of this experience taking care of themselves for the rest of days in Timor Leste. Remarks Since the delegation had just come back from Atauro Island, they seemed to be a little tired, but shown their willingness to create a useful proposal for the future of Timor Leste. 17 Aug Wed. Experience of Boro Larang Hot Spring Outline The delegation actually visited and observed the hot spring. They examined how they could develop tourism without destroying the community and nature in the area.

12 Remarks They arrived the hot spring by about 40 minute trekking. The mayor of Meligo Village accompanied as a guide since he was interested in the quality of the spring, so he seemed to be impressed to learn from the delegate the type of the spring (sulfurous) and its efficacy for the first time. In addition to the mayor, children of the village also came along with the delegate (especially with the delegate Sugimoto). The hot spring seemed not be fully utilized by the local people, so there was an opinion from the delegate that it should be put into more practical use as a local asset, as well as a tourism resource. Experience of Marobo Hot Spring Outline The delegation observed remains in the times of Portugal and the hot spring. While doing research on the spring, they tested the effect on skin by putting some mad accumulated on the bottom of the bathtub. They also examined how to utilize the remains and the hot spring as tourism resources. Remarks Everyone was impressed by the large bathtub like a pool with spectacular views of mountains. The temperature of the spring was a bit too high, so it irritated some delegates skins which had been sunburned at Viqueli Hot Spring the day before. There were several sources of spring, so the delegate enjoyed the hot spring other than in the bathtub. Workshop 18 Aug Thu. Outline The delegation prepared for a presentation the next day, taking findings from all the hot springs they visited into consideration. Remarks Everyone agreed on importance to conserve nature and to improve basic infrastructure (roads, signs, direction boards, and toilets). They decided to make a proposal both from the overall point of view and from the aspect of each hot spring in detail.

13 Courtesy Call on Prime Minister s Office (Courtesy Call on Deputy Prime Minister) Outline The delegation explained briefly about hot springs in Timor Leste, then, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his appreciation on their research. He said he was shocked to hear that Japanese people associated Timor Leste with conflicts from one of the member of Keidanren (Japan Federation of Economic Organizations) he met when he visited Japan before. He also requested the delegation to spread positive images of Timor Leste as a post conflict peaceful sightseeing destination through their activities in Japan. Remarks The delegate seemed to be a little nervous being invited to the Prime Minister s Office, but they gradually got relaxed as the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed them sparing more time than scheduled. He was especially impressed and surprised by an explanation with photographs from the delegate Sugimoto. Presentation on Hot Springs in Timor Leste 19 Aug Fri. Outline The delegate made a presentation on development of hot springs in Timor Leste as sightseeing spots. Firstly, they made a proposal from the overall perspective, then, from the individual points of view in more detail. They also introduced the quality of each spring, followed by a question and answer session at the end. Remarks They made a presentation considering how they could appropriately express their opinions regarding the effectiveness, greatness, and challenges of hot springs to people in Timor Leste who had not utilized them. During the question and answer session, they received many questions from the officials of MTCI and persons concerned in tourism industry. Fundamentally, their interest was whether they could attract tourists by following the delegates advice. The delegate was eagerly trying to answer as many questions as possible through an interpreter even after the time had passed.

14 6. Courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Guterres and Presentation of hot springs in Timor Leste at Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry (MTCI) I. Courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Guterres 1. Date : Friday, August 19th, 2011 Time : 10:40~11:30 Venue : Prime Minister s Office 2. Participants : (Timor Leste) Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Guterres, 1 secretary, and 1 official (Delegation) Hot Spring specialists: Mr. Gunji, Mr. Sugimoto, Ms. Yokohira Embassy of Japan in Timor Leste: Ambassador H.E. Kitahara, Secretary Mr. Kono, Secretary Mr. Suwa, JICE: Deputy Director Ms. Saito, Programme Coordinator Mr. Tomita, Staff Ms. Yamamura Details of the Courtesy Call 1. In the beginning, data of each hot spring which the delegate had observed and its future potential was reported by Mr. Gunji. 2. Deputy Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the report, and requested the delegate to disseminate information about hot springs of Timor Leste in Japan. He also shown his expectation that more Japanese people would come to visit the country. 3. Deputy Prime Minister had been looking forward to the delegates visit hearing from Ambassador Kitahara. He stated that he wanted to offer the data of the hot springs and report the result of observations to Prime Minister H.E. Gusmao. He also added that MTCI was sure to be interested in the contents, too. 4. Deputy Prime Minister told the delegate that he would like them to appeal Japanese visitors to Timor Leste, especially young people, to enjoy traveling the

15 country as adventures, although road conditions to these hot springs were not too good and the delegate must have had difficulties passing through. 5. When Deputy Prime Minister visited Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) in 1999, he found that Japan s impression of Timor Leste was conflicts. However, the present Timor Leste is not such country and the government is going to launch a strategy internationally in order to appeal positive images of the country. Therefore he expects the delegation will also disseminate new image of Timor Leste through various media such as TV in Japan. II. Presentation of hot springs in Timor Leste 1. Date : Friday, August 19th, 2011 Time : 14:30~16:30 Venue : Conference room at Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry of Timor Leste (MTCI) 2. Presenters : Mr. Isamu Gunji (hot spring researcher, journalist) Mr. Kei Sugimoto (hot spring sommelier, photographer) Ms. Asuka Yokohira (hot spring lover) 3. Audience: A total of 13 including; Chairman and members of National Association of Tourism of Timor Leste MTCI officials State Secretariat for Natural Resources (SERN) officials Teachers of the Department of Tourism, vocational school Teachers of the Faculty of Economics, The National University of Timor Leste 4. Programme: 14:30 Presentation 15:30 Q &A session

16 Ⅲ Presentation Hot Springs in Timor-Leste Table of Content 1.Summary and proposal 2.Inspected hot springs 3.Pilila Hot Spring (Liquica) 4.Waikana Hot Spring (Baucau) 5.Viqueli Hot Spring(Atauro) 6.Bobo Larang Hot Spring (Bobonaro) 7.Marobo Hot Spring (Bobonaro)

17 Ⅲ Presentation 1. Development of hot springs as future sightseeing resources Conservation of natural environment Development and vitalization of local community Improvement of roads and signage Publicity 2.Inspected Hot Springs Pilila Hot Spring Waikana Hot Spring Boro Larang Hot Spring Marobo Hot Spring Viqueli Hot Spring

18 Ⅲ Presentation 3.Pilila Hot Spring Type: Salt hot spring (Cl 23g/ 1 litter Ca 3500mg/ 1 litter Na 3000mg/ 1 litter ) Temperature : about 52C Color: Transparent Smell: n/a Amount of water: about 10 litter/ min Effect: warm up body, good for healing scars, skin disease, detoxification Feature: Currently, this hot spring appears only when sea tide is low during full/ new moon period. However, more hot spring water with higher temperature is expected, if dig the ground. (In Japan, normally about 200 litter/ min with 70C to 80C in tempreture comes out) Possibility of development Accommodation for both business and resort purposes Business purposes * Pilila is located only 40 min away from Dili. It is ideal for business persons to work, stay and relax. * Accommodation with big convention center and business center is recommended. Tourism purposes * Day trip from Dili * Hot spring spa

19 Ⅲ Presentation 4. Waikana Hot Spring Type: Calcium sulfate salt hot spring (Cal 300mg / 1 litter Na 200mg/ 1 litter SO4 800mg/ 1 litter Sulfur 0.1mg/ 1 litter) Temperature: abt 31 to 35C Color: Transparent Smell: slightly sulfur (partially) Amount of water: abt 400 litter/ min Feature: Very rare to find in Japan (There are only 20 hot springs of this type in Japan) Effect: good for scar, skin disease, gynecological diseases (women s disease), high pressure, if drink effective to diabetes and arterial stiffening Possibility of development A trip with a story Development of a 1-day trip to Waikana Hot Spring from Baucau * Waikana is located an hour away from Baucau, hence ideal for a day trip from Baucau. * Travelers will enjoy the historic buildings in Baucau, beautiful scenery (rice terrace, mountains etc), local villages with churches and traditional houses before arriving at the hot spring. Ideal to make a travel story of his/ her own with these resources. * Roads should be improved to make the trip easier.

20 Ⅲ Presentation 5. Viqueli Hot Spring Type: Calcium Natrium Salt Hot spring (Na 3000mg/ 1 litter Ca 4000mg/ 1 litter Cl 15000mg/ 1 litter) Temperature: abt 60C Color: Transparent Smell: n/a Amount of water: 20 litter / min Effect: warm up body, good for healing scars, skin disease, detoxification Feature: There is no spring water around the area, sea water mixed with small amount of pure water is heated by geothermal energy. More hot water with higher temperature is expected to come out, if bowling the ground. (If bowling a similar hot spring in Japan, normally hot water with 90C comes out) * Potential geothermal energy Possibility of development Resort island with eco in its theme Atauro is a potential resort island for marine sports plus hot spring. In order to keep the nature, development with eco in theme is recommended.

21 Ⅲ Presentation 5. Boro Lalang Hot Spring Type: Simple sulfur spring (Hs- 4 to 5mg/ 1 litter) Temperature : about 36 C Color: Transparent Smell: Sulfur Amount of water: about 150 litter/ min *allegedly, more hot spring water comes out in rainy season Feature: There are several hot spring spots in the same area which makes a hot spring stream (about 32C) Effect: good for healing scar, skin disease, gynecological diseases (women s disease) and if drink, effective for high pressure 5. Possibility of development Ideal for trekking course Boro lalang hot spring is located near Suku Meligo which is about 1 hour away from Maliana. From the suku, it requires 1 hour trekking in the mountain to get to the hot spring. It is recommended to develop a trekking course with its destination at Boro Lalang hot spring.

22 Ⅲ Presentation 6. Marobo Hot Spring Type: Sulfate salt including sulfur hot spring (H2S 10 to 12mg/ 1 litter Ca 400mg/ 1 litter Na 300mg/ 1 litter SO4 1300mg/ 1 litter HCO3 500mg/ 1 litter) Temperature : about 49C Color: Green and white, cloudy Smell: Sulfur Amount of water: about 2000 litter/ min Effect: good for scar, skin disease, revitalize and brightening skin, high pressure, gynecological diseases, if drink effective to diabetes and arterial stiffening The mud found in the bottom of the hot spring pool is Very rare to find In Japan. (Only 10 hot springs have this type of mud in Japan.) Marobo is has hot springs which can establish a hot spring town Possibility of development Development with reservation of Portuguese ruins and nature In order to keep the nature and the scenic beauty with the ruins, accommodations are recommended to built in Maliana or other towns. The mud found in the hot spring is very rare, which is effective for skin diseases and whitening.

23 III. Proposal for tourism development utilizing hot springs Attractiveness of Timor Leste This time, we visited Dili, Atauro Island, Baucau, and Maliana in Timor Leste. Through this observation trip, we were impressed and cheered by wonderful nature and people of this country, and found many future sightseeing resources throughout the places. First of all, we were moved by untouched nature, dynamic sceneries, clear beautiful oceans, and lush green mountains in the provinces of Timor Leste. We were exposed to smiles, warmth and simplicity of local people and active children on the way, and while we were communicating with them, we were fascinated by this country. Besides, there are excellent hot springs here. These hot springs remain untouched and make abundant natural resources in Timor Leste. So this country can become an attractive tourist destination for us Japanese since we love hot springs. Hot springs, in general, are popular not only in North East Asia including Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but also in various foreign countries, and are expected to be developed as potential sightseeing resources. During this observation trip, we visited five different hot springs in Timor Leste. We would like to report the result and make a proposal on each spring. Before that, we would like to make a proposal from an overall point of view on tourism development utilizing hot springs. Proposal 1 2 : Conservation of natural environment, Development and vitalization of local communities Tourism development utilizing hot springs in Timor Leste should make the most of nature without destroying surrounding environment. In order to realize that, it is necessary to avoid overdevelopment and extra constructions. To be more precise, Timorese people should keep in mind to conserve their beautiful nature not throwing trashes away in mountains or on roads, so that the natural environments be maintained. We would like to suggest tourism development closely connected with local communities. Some of the hot springs we visited were located near villages, and they were used by local people. If tourists rush into these villages, it is anticipated to affect their daily life. So, it is necessary to take great care not to disturb their living environment by tourism development. Also, it is important to vitalize economic activities of local people by promoting tourism.

24 Proposal 3 4 : Improvement of roads and signage, and Publicity Hot springs are relatively spread throughout Timor Leste, so it is essential to develop roads which enable tourists to get to destinations more easily. Street signs showing names of towns and distances to major cities are also needed. For tourists who do not understand the local language, such signs are very helpful. In addition, enrichment of tourism information on Timor Leste and its publicity are also desired since foreigners can rely on them and feel more at ease when traveling the country. For example, it should be very effective to provide tourists who do not know well about this country with comprehensible information by creating maps of Timor Leste which illustrate sightseeing spots and model courses of traveling. Pilila Hot Spring Accommodation for both business and resort purposes Pilila Hot Spring is closely located to the capital, Dili, about 40 minutes away by car, so we can take advantage of this location in tourism development, for example, constructions of accommodating facilities equipped with hot springs. It is also located near the airport, so development of a hot spring resort putting efforts in business usage can be considered. It includes an easier access to Pilila from the airport by shuttle buses especially for business travelers and convention facilities in hotels. In addition, it is desirable if there are some hot spring facilities for 1 day trippers who prefer to stay in Dili. Waikana Hot Spring, development of a 1 day trip from Baucau Around Waikana Hot Spring located 40 minutes down the mountain roads from Venilale village, there is no place to construct accommodation facilities. Therefore, it would be better to create infrastructures starting from Baucau. On the way to Waikana from Baucau, we can create a trip providing beautiful sceneries of the town of Baucau, churches, terraced rice fields, bomb shelters, traditional houses in the villages, and so on. Taking advantage of these tourism resources, we can offer travelers a story line for enjoying histories and cultures of Timor Leste. In regard to the roads, we can expect more visitors if we improve the conditions and create better access to the site.

25 Viqueli Hot Spring Resort island with eco in its theme Atauro Island is located about 1 hour away from Dili by ferry. Since the island is enjoying a beautiful ocean, development of a beach resort featuring eco would be advisable. Although more elaborate study is necessary, we can also consider introducing geothermal power generation utilizing alcohol, whose boiling temperature is lower than water, by taking advantage of the geothermal heat of the spring in the future. Currently, there is no piers at the ferry terminal of the Atauro Island, so it is also essential to create such infrastructures to have the island as a tourist site. Also, 2 or 3 meter high bathtubs made of concrete would be necessary for both Pilila and Viqueli hot springs. Boro Lalang Hot Spring Ideal for trekking Boro Lalang Hot Spring is situated in a mountain in Meligo village, about one hour away from Maliana. It takes approximately another one hour by trekking to get to the spring from village on the mountainside. The mountain roads are not so steep that beginners of trekking can also enjoy the sceneries of mountains and villages on the way. Boro Lalang Hot Spring is, therefore, ideal destination for trekkers, too. At present, the hot spring remains untouched and the source is streaming as a river. It would be advisable to create a simple bathtub making the most of the surrounding natural environment. Creating trekking courses and setting up direction boards for tourists would be helpful. Marobo Hot Spring Development with reservation of Portuguese ruins and nature Marobo Hot Spring is large enough to be able to attract many hotels and inns if in Japan, boasting as much as 2,000 liters of hot water per minute. Also, the mad accumulated on the bottom of the spring is valuable. Now in Japan, the same type of mad can only be found in 10 hot springs throughout the country. It has a good effect on skin diseases and whitening. At this hot spring, development in harmony with the scenery of mountains and Portuguese ruins is recommended, so they should be well preserved. In this regard, accommodation facilities are better constructed a bit away from the hot spring, probably around Maliana or others. Along the road to Marobo from Maliana, there will need to be rest houses, souvenir shops of local goods, and toilets. Morobo is such a wonderful hot spring that it is most promising tourist site in the future.

26 IV. Question and Answers Q. I learned that Marobo is very important site. By the way, does the mad of the spring have any healing effect? It is good putting on skin. Q. What kind of promotional activities do you recommend based on the experiences in Japan? An important thing is to preserve hot springs and natural environments by the government. Q. What kinds of laws and restrictions are there in Japan? Development of a hot spring resort in conservation areas is prohibited. A source of spring must be shared and distributed in local communities. Hot springs are authorized by concerned ministries, agencies, and local governments. Q. Were hot springs in Japan developed by foreign or domestic investments? They were developed by domestic investments. Q. Japanese people love hot springs, but do you think they will come to hot springs in Timor Leste? I believe they will come if you promote collaborations with other resources, rather than hot springs themselves. Q. Is the quality of spring important to attract Japanese tourists? In Germany, doctors recommend hot springs for therapeutic purpose and provide advice how to take them. The quality of spring has significant value, and Japanese people are sure to be satisfied if specified. Unfortunately in Japan, natural springs are usually processed. In Timor Leste, on the other hand, they remain untouched. This is the value of your hot springs. Q. There are many hot springs in Japan, and Germany also has a famous hot spring such as Stuttgart. I wonder if people from these countries are satisfied with the quality of hot springs in Timor Leste. Of course, they will be satisfied.

27 Q. Development does not always produce positive results, but also brings about negative outcomes, doesn t it? Exactly. Therefore, regulations and controls by the government are necessary to some extent (especially for environment protection). It is also important to create a system preventing lives of local residents from being destroyed by development. We need to take great care that sightseeing facilities (including hot springs) should also be available and generate income to local residents, too. The least desirable outcome is that a tourist site becomes isolated itself and tourists are not welcomed by local communities. Q. I learned that various policies regarding preservation of nature and resources are being implemented by the government in Japan, but we don t have enough know how in this regard in Timor Leste. Is it possible that you could share your experiences with us? An important thing to conserve nature is to remind people not to throw trashes away, and education is the most essential preventive measure in this respect. It would be advisable to start now because it requires tremendous costs, time, and energy to bring back environment into original condition once it is contaminated. Q. I thought a lukewarm bath is better, so is it OK to be hot? Important point is how you take a bath, depending on your purpose and kind of hot spring. For example, it would be better to take a bath at 45 degrees C if you repeat the cycle of a 5 munite bathing and a 15 munite rest, rather than soaking in the bath for a long time at once. You should consult a specialist such as doctor to know the best way for you. Actually, there are various ways to take a bath (hot springs). Q. Is it alright to take a bath when you have skin problems? It depends on the condition of your skin, but there is no problem in most cases. In general, right after taking a bath, your skin may seem to become rough because of elimination of waste products and toxins from your body and skin, which is caused by improved metabolism. However, your skin gets better after a while, when the waste products and toxins are removed.

28 Conclusion Comments written by the delegate realized us that they got in touch with local residents in the towns and the villages and explored the attractions of Timor Leste while visiting 5 undeveloped hot springs in the country. They were also exposed to the current states and issues of society, economy and environment of Timor Leste and deepened understanding on the country. We expect that the discussions and exchanges with concerned parties who attended the presentation will contribute to the development of ties in tourism industry between Timor Leste and Japan, and the friendship bridge between the two countries will be strengthened further in the future. In conclusion, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this Dispatching Programme. Implementation Reports of the Dispatching Programme of Hot Spring Development to The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste Published in August, 2011 Edited & Published by Japan International Cooperation Center Nishi Shinjuku KF Bldg. 3rd Floor, , Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku ku, Tokyo, Japan Ph URL:

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