Independent East Timor attracts tourists on scuba diving holidays

The launch of East Timor's first scuba diving photography competition was deemed a success after attracting 30 amateur photographers taking part during scuba diving holidays, including a couple from Houston in the United States, Brian and Gina Blackburn.

The event was introduced by President Jose Ramos-Horta in his latest project to boost the tourism economy and promote scuba diving in East Timor.

Gina Blackburn said:

"In the Caribbean, finding fan coral that big is impossible because the tourists have destroyed it. We wanted to come here because it's undeveloped, people haven't been diving on it, it's undamaged and pristine. Our favourite, because we don't get it in the Caribbean, is all that soft coral."

Asia's newest country has seen plenty of bloodshed over recent times as it gained independence from Indonesia, and government officials are keen to revamp the region's image as a safe and peaceful destination to enjoy scuba diving holidays.

President Ramos-Horta said: "Anyone who is involved in diving will have read already about the potential in Timor, because there are not too many places left on earth that are unexplored."

Italian scuba diver, Edoardo Spacca, on holiday in East Timor, describing the region's diving sites, said: "It's the concentration of corals and different species of animals all packed in one place -- it's unique. The coral is incredibly healthy. It's really beautiful. There's been some massive coral bleaching around Asia but I didn't see any here."

The poverty-stricken state is located on the fringes of the Coral Triangle and is home to thriving marine life and biodiversity and tourism officials are hoping that the scuba diving industry will boost much-needed tourism in the deprived area.

Brian Blackburn spoke of the poverty around Dili and the need for balance between tourism and the environment whilst respecting the East Timor way of life.

"What it needs to do to attract tourists is what you don't want it to do. It needs big Hyatt resorts right on the beach, with everything paved and none of this dirt road stuff," he said. "But that's not what you want -- that's not East Timor."

Gina added: "It makes us more appreciative of what we have, and realise how spoiled we are compared to them (the East Timorese). Americans have it all but we're not smiling. They have nothing but they laugh. They're happy people."