But these structures suffer from the perennial tropical humidity of the islands and become fecund breeding grounds for the ferocious black moulds which thrive on the limestone. Aitutaki has eagerly adopted the new Government policies of decentralised control and is now making its own decisions on most aspects of its future development. However, despite a regular flow of day trippers and tourists there is small evidence of much tourist industry income trickling down to the average Aitutakian. The markets in the main village of Arutanga sell pareus , tee shirts, bottles of coconut oil and crudely carved artifacts for the tourist market. But there are few customers.
Accommodation ranges from resort quality to backpacker hostels.
The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort at the top of the scale enjoys 90 per cent occupancy and is tucked away in the south-eastern corner of the airstrip, completely isolated from every other part of the island. There are no buses, taxis or public transport which means hotel guests are cut off unless they rent bicycles or motor scooters. All the resort's rooms are self contained and have tea and coffee making facilities. It also offers complimentary watersports equipment, a nightly string band and a Polynesian floor show twice a week. On the eastern side of the island just south of Vaipae, the Aitutaki Lodges offers six self-contained studio chalets scattered among dense vegetation on a hillside which slopes down to the lagoon.