Some merchants in the International Bazaar, who have complained that they get very little tourist traffic compared with their counterparts in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, have already classified this year’s spring break season as bleak.
Mary Rahming, a straw vendor who said she has operated a stall in the Bazaar for more than 30 years, told the Bahama Journal that the once thriving shopping complex tends to get overlooked in favour of the more popular Port Lucaya Marketplace.
She said tour operators and taxi drivers seldom opt to bring visitors to the Bazaar.
“But we make a few sales,” Ms. Rahming said. “Thank God for it anyway.”
Irene Davis and her daughter, who also have a stall in the Bazaar, echoed similar sentiments, but said business is also slow for taxi drivers.
Ms. Davis said two weeks into the spring break season, business has picked up a little, but it is not enough.
She added, “Six months ago it was extra, extra slow. It’s slow now but not like six months ago, but still we can’t meet our needs. You can pay a little something, but it’s bad when you can only pay a little $40 on a light bill. But what can we do? You have to give God thanks.”
Sean Smith, another vendor in the International Bazaar, said he had no complaints.
“Spring break is usually [the same] in the 10 years I’ve been here,” said Mr. Smith, a widower with two small children. “It has been some good times and bad times, but this year-it has been a blessing because you can still provide for your family.”
Meanwhile, some vendors in the Port Lucaya Marketplace said despite what persons may think of them getting the bulk of the business, they are having a tough time during this spring break season as well.
Maydora Roberts, a hair braider, said most spring breakers tend to spend their money on their accommodations, food and alcohol, and not necessarily on souvenirs.
“I’ve been working here on this property for 15 solid years and for the past three years, this one takes the cake,” Ms. Roberts said. “This is the worst spring break we ever had. They are not [getting their hair] braided or shopping. The money they brought, they are spending it on partying.
“Port Lucaya is set up differently from the Bazaar. They [the Bazaar merchants] believe we make the money. I would say four or five years ago, we used to make the money. Hair braiding was worth the while, getting up out of your bed at 6 o’clock and coming out here first thing in the morning. As soon as you got off the bus stop, you have [business]. But you can’t do that now.”
Another merchant who has a shop in the craft building in Port Lucaya said business is slow because of where her shop is situated.
“Since we came into the craft building, we make no money [in] spring break or any other time because we are right here in front of the straw market and that is killing us,” said the merchant, who wished not to give her name.
“People go to the straw market and shop and when they come over here, they already have their merchandise.”
General Manager of Project Development for the Ministry of Tourism Betty Bethel said tourism officials are expecting the spring breakers to “definitely impact our bottom line, specifically in the food and beverage area.”
Officials are expecting at least 10,000 spring breakers on Grand Bahama this season.
Planned activities include events at Tranquility Shores, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Westin at Our Lucaya and Paint Ball Bahamas. The ministry was also scheduled a Junkanoo rush out at the International Bazaar.
Meanwhile, police on Grand Bahama have beefed up patrols to ensure that the students remain safe on the island.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
