Vanuatu’s government and Royal Caribbean Group have agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the VT6.5 billion Royal Beach Club Lelepa in November, as the country seeks to expand cruise tourism investment and increase opportunities for local businesses.
Minister of Trade and Commerce Robson Iavro confirmed the planned ceremony following high-level talks with Royal Caribbean executives at the company’s headquarters in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 28.
The meeting advanced discussions on the tourism project, which is being developed on Lelepa Island, north of Efate. The government said the groundbreaking would take place during Parliament’s second ordinary session in November, allowing lawmakers, local communities and company executives to attend.
The project, funded by Royal Caribbean Group, is described by the government as Vanuatu’s largest tourism investment to date and the cruise operator’s first exclusive destination in the Southern Hemisphere. The first ship call is scheduled for the 2027 season.
Iavro said the Miami meeting allowed the government to discuss the project directly with company executives responsible for regional deployment and investment decisions.
“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.
Local jobs and suppliers
The development is expected to require between 300 and 400 workers during construction. More than 150 staff are expected to be recruited to operate the destination on a rotational basis, with an additional team living on site full time, according to the government.
Royal Caribbean also intends to source as many goods and services locally as possible. The company will send a food and beverage supply chain specialist to Vanuatu to assess local production capacity and identify products that could be supplied to the destination.
The project will include an arrivals area, a Mamas Market, beach precincts on the eastern and western shores, food and beverage outlets, a children’s playground, water activity rentals and a nature trail. Supporting facilities will include staff housing and utilities.
The company also outlined plans for community engagement, including training and workshops to help local entrepreneurs meet hospitality standards and the requirements of the cruise industry.
Director of the Department of Tourism Paul Pio said the next priority was to prepare tourism operators, producers and communities for the destination’s planned opening.
“The timelines are confirmed, the groundbreaking is agreed and the company has made clear that its interest in Vanuatu does not stop at Lelepa,” Pio said.
Government seeks wider tourism investment
The Miami meeting also covered outstanding matters between Royal Caribbean and the government, which Iavro undertook to progress with the relevant ministries.
The minister invited the company to explore additional investment opportunities elsewhere in Vanuatu, including on Espiritu Santo, and invited its senior executives to visit the island.
Royal Caribbean is among the major cruise operators serving Vanuatu and carries a substantial share of the cruise visitors arriving each season, according to the government.
The Miami visit followed a meeting between Iavro and Royal Caribbean International on the sidelines of the 2026 Australian Cruise Association Conference in Brisbane in September.
The visit was initially planned as part of Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s trip to the United States for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. However, Napat withdrew following the MV Matui tragedy to remain with affected families and communities, authorizing Iavro to represent him in Miami.
Iavro said the government wanted to ensure that the project’s employment and supply-chain opportunities benefited local communities while strengthening Vanuatu’s position as a cruise tourism destination.
