Indigenous leaders in Vanuatu have expressed serious concerns regarding plans by cruise operator Royal Caribbean to develop a private beach club on Lelepa Island. The community leaders argue that environmental impact assessments conducted by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading.” They assert that the proposed development poses a significant threat to the local ecosystems and a nearby UNESCO World Heritage site. The matter was formally raised in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February. The planned resort on Lelepa Island, which spans roughly 5 kilometers and is home to approximately 500 residents, is designed to cater to up... [Continue Reading]