Custom chiefs and landowners on the Vanuatu island of Pentecost have met with the South Seas Shipping Company and tourism authorities in the hope of having tourist boats return to the unique location.
Nangol land-diver in Vanuatu's Pentecost. Photo: KIRKLAND / Vanuatu Travel
Leaders from Pangi shed tears during the meeting as they called for boats to return to watch the annual Nangol, or Pentecost Land Dive.
In the past, the event has attracted people from all over the world to watch men plunge from a wooden tower as high as 100 metres with a custom-made bush vines tied to their ankles.
However, the Nangol was halted due to a local land dispute.
At the government-backed consultation meeting, landowners and chiefs apologised for their internal issues and pleaded with the owner of South Seas Shipping, John Tonner to make arrangements for Carnival Australia to bring tourists back to Pangi.
The chiefs also assured both Mr Tonner and a representative from the Department of Tourism that they were determined to resolve their land disputes.
The Daily Post newspaper said the chiefs know that being a port of call attracts employment opportunities and much needed cash to local communities.