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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Prianka Srinivasan

Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists

A proposed private beach resort in Lelepa, Vanuatu, being developed by cruise operator Royal Caribbean.
The proposed private beach club in Lelepa, Vanuatu, by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean, which says it will incorporate feedback into its final impact assessments. Illustration: Facebook/Royal Caribbean

Indigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading”.

The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site.

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