About the Project

The Aitape area offers a great deal to the prospective traveller, however, has little in the way of appropriate accommodation. In recent years there have been visits by international tourists and cruise ships to Ali Island, who have indicated interest in returning, however, raised concerns at the lack of basic international accommodation and facilities to meet their needs. Government conferences are also often held in the region, again, with a lack of suitable facilities.

In realizing this, Mr Tony Raok and family of Ali Island kick-started the discussions with the island people for the need to provide these facilities. The discussions resulted in the registration of the Ali Island Guest House Ltd and further consultation and awareness with tour operators, government officials and companies for the development of a guest house and establishment of a tourism venture for the island community.

Architectural plans were drawn up and a project proposal was finalised in 2005. To date,there has been no success in implementing the initial proposal.

In October 2009, Travis McCombe, who had lived in Aitape as a child, returned to the area with his wife Kelli, spending six days in Aitape and on Ali Island.

During the stay on Ali Island, Travis became aware of the 2005 project proposal and offered to assist in bringing the project to fruition. Upon returning to Geelong, Australia, word of mouth has resulted in a group of like-minded individuals banding together to form the Ali Island Project, endeavouring to bring to life the dreams of the local people in developing the Ali Island Guest House and Conference Centre.