The Department of Tourism in Sanma Province is collaborating with a contractor in Santo to repair the jetty at Champagne Beach, a popular tourist destination, after a hiatus of over three years.

The jetty, which has been out of service since Cyclone Harold in 2020, is now being repaired to accommodate cruise ships once again. The Champagne Beach area has not welcomed major cruise lines such as P&O and Carnival during this time due to ongoing land disputes between the owners of the iconic site.

Edson Hosea, the Manager of Tourism in Santo, expressed his gratitude to the landowners for allowing the repairs to proceed despite their ongoing legal battles. He emphasized that development is key for the local economy, particularly in East Santo, which relies heavily on tourism income from cruise ships.

“We want to thank the landowners for agreeing to allow us to carry out these repairs, even while their court issues continue. If we want the money, we must allow development to take place. Once this is done, we can reassess,” Hosea said. “It’s a shame to see the jetty damaged by the cyclone, but we’re working to fix it, and Champagne Beach will soon be ready for tourists again.”

The jetty repairs are expected to be completed before the end of the month, ensuring that cruise ships can return to Champagne Beach and provide a boost to the local economy.