Royal Caribbean Group and the Vanuatu Government have agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the VT6.5 billion Royal Beach Club Lelepa project in November 2026, during Parliament’s second ordinary session.
From a press release it states that the agreement was reached during a meeting between Trade and Commerce Minister Robson Iavro and senior Royal Caribbean Group executives at the company’s global headquarters in Miami, Florida, on 28 September.
The Minister led a Vanuatu delegation that included the Director General of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Noah Patrick Kouback, and the Director of the Department of Tourism, Paul Pio.
The visit followed discussions between the Minister and Royal Caribbean International at the Australian Cruise Association Conference in Brisbane in September.
Groundbreaking planned for November
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Lelepa Island, North Efate, with Members of Parliament, local communities, Government representatives and the company’s senior executives expected to attend.
Royal Beach Club Lelepa is described as Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive destination in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest tourism investment in Vanuatu’s history.
The VT6.5 billion project is funded by Royal Caribbean Group and is being developed as a day-visit beach destination for cruise ship passengers.
Facilities are planned to include an arrivals area, a Mamas Market, beach precincts, food and beverage outlets, a children’s playground, water activity rentals and a nature trail. Supporting facilities will include staff housing and utilities.
Construction is already under way, with the first ship call scheduled for the 2027 season.
Jobs and opportunities for local suppliers
The project is expected to require between 300 and 400 workers during development. More than 150 staff are expected to be recruited to operate the destination on a rotational basis, alongside a further team living on site full time.
According to the information provided by the Government, Royal Caribbean intends to source as much as possible locally.
The company plans to send a food and beverage supply chain specialist to Vanuatu to work with local producers and identify goods that can be supplied for the destination.
Discussions also covered training and workshops for local entrepreneurs to help them understand the standards, hospitality practices and other requirements of the cruise sector.
Minister Iavro said the Government wanted the project’s employment and supply opportunities to benefit Lelepa communities and the wider Vanuatu economy.
“The groundbreaking in November will be a milestone for our country, and the Government is committed to making sure that the jobs, the supply opportunities and the benefits of this project reach the people of Lelepa and the wider economy,” he said.
Government discusses further investment
The Miami meeting also addressed outstanding matters between Royal Caribbean and the Government, which the Minister said he would progress with the relevant ministries following his return.
Minister Iavro also invited the company to consider opportunities beyond Lelepa, including on Espiritu Santo, and invited senior executives to visit the island.
Director of Tourism Paul Pio said the meeting had confirmed the project’s timeline and advanced discussions with the company.
“Our task now is to make sure that our operators, our producers and our communities are ready when the first ship arrives,” Mr Pio said.
The visit was initially planned to be led by Prime Minister Jotham Napat during his official travel to the United States for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and onward travel to Miami.
However, following the MV Matui tragedy, the Prime Minister withdrew from the visit to remain with affected families and communities and authorised Minister Iavro to travel on his behalf.
