The proposed Royal Beach Club project on Lelepa Island in Havanah Harbour, Efate, is expected to welcome more than 5,000 tourists per day and create over 100 jobs for local people once operational.

The development, led by Royal Caribbean Group, will be located on the northern side of Lelepa Island. While the exact completion date remains unclear, the project is expected to take approximately 18 months.

Head of Government Relations Oceania for Royal Caribbean Group, Josh Dolgoy, said the land is under lease arrangements and the project aims to benefit communities in Northwest Efate and surrounding areas.

He said the current plan is to host around 5,000 guests per day, similar to operations at Mystery Island, and emphasized that the project will provide employment opportunities once operational.

This week, awareness sessions on the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) were held on Lelepa Island and in Tanoliu Village, Northwest Efate. The consultations allowed community members to raise concerns and seek clarification about the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.

Some community leaders expressed concerns about marine safety and the environmental impact of large cruise ships entering Havanah Harbour. Questions were raised about fuel use and whether proper assessments had been conducted to measure environmental risks.

Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant with the Department of Environment, Michel Leodoro, acknowledged that any major development will have some level of impact. However, he stressed that the purpose of the consultation process is to gather community views and identify ways to minimize damage to marine resources and the surrounding environment.

There were also calls from community members for proper training programs to ensure local people are equipped with the skills needed to benefit from tourism activities and attractions linked to the project.