A TOURISM agreement between the people of Mali Island and international organisation Tribe Wanted was ended after the group failed to honour its agreement with the landowners.
Tui Mali Ratu Apenisa Bogiso said Tribe Wanted approached the village back in 2006 seeking to lease Vorovoro Island for three years.
He said before agreeing to the proposal, he had wanted to know how the community would benefit.
“I asked them what benefits will the community receive if you are only staying for three years,” Ratu Apenisa said.
He said the village agreed to the three-year arrangement but when the lease ended, Tribe Wanted asked for another year.
“Instead of discussing the extension with me and the landowners, the organisation held meetings with other people and collected money without my knowledge.
“They were making decisions behind my back, so I decided to end the arrangement.”
Under the project, members of the online community from around the world paid a fee to stay on Vorovoro Island for several weeks and experience village life.
Macuata Tourism Association president Amelia Simmons said the experience showed why future tourism developments must be built on trust, proper consultation and written agreements.
Ms Simmons said any tourism project must have the full support of landowners and how the community would benefit be clearly explained.
Today, the community now hosts university students from the United States through the Bridge the Gap study abroad program, which village leaders say operates with clear agreements and greater involvement from the local community.
