NGO Haburas has provided training to community tourism operations in Lautem, Liquisa and Aileu about management, cooking and guiding tours.
Haburas executive director Virgilio Guterres said the training was important to ensure that communities benefited from the riches of their villages.
“We provide training on management so they can manage their resources,” he said.
He said tourism was a sustainable industry which could replace the petroleum sector, which had a limited lifespan.
The businesses which received the training were Tutuala’s Walu Sere, and other groups in Maubara and Maubisse.
Guterres said groups which made products such as chips, juice and handicrafts could face problems as there were limited opportunities to sell their wares.
Buka Moris Foun co-ordinator Sabina de Jesus Moreira said her group had not yet received training as it was newly formed.
“I submitted my group’s name to the NGO Haburas and maybe we will get the training as it is very important for us to improve the quality of our products,” she said.
She said there were not adequate opportunities for people to exhibit their products.
