With the announcement of the closure of the Ralph Lauren Polo shop, a total of 10 businesses in the down-town area have buckled in the last year according to retailers.
The Tribune hit the downtown streets yesterday to pose the question: “How is tourism in the Bahamas doing?” to members of the public.
While most persons in the area had mixed feelings about the state of the nation’s first industry.
However even those who thought it is doing well in general said they are disappointed by the performance of tourism’s traditional hub.
One said: “tourism is booming, but no one is buying downtown.”
Another retailer, who said, “we have a lot of tourist coming this year,” felt compelled to add: “They just aren’t spending money like they did last year.”
“If something isn’t done soon, Bay Street will close,” was one retailer’s response to the question.
According to Bay Street business owner Paul Carey, “Many business are closing or have closed. We are falling out one after another. Many Bahamians will be out of jobs.”
Crystal Carey added: “This year is very slow. We are getting the volume of persons but they are not spending.”
The Tribune contacted Mr Frank Comito of Nassau Tourism Development Board for comment.
“The issue of businesses closing on Bay Street is a part of a trend that has been going on for years,” he said. “It is because of the blight in the area – the congestion and the state of the buildings on the eastern end of Bay Street are factors.”
He went on to sav that the Nassau Tourism Development Board is doing “productive work to solidify plans, with an active effort to move toward implementation.”
It is hoped that the board’s plan, once in place, will begin to reverse the decline in the area.
Retailers and business owners had different ideas about what should be done to combat the problem. One interviewee suggested that cruise ships should be asked to close their shops and restaurants while in port. “This will allow us to make some money he said.
“I have been here for over 15 years.”
“The no parking issue contributes to the problem. I know it can be addressed if the government would build a three story parking lot,” said one business owner.
Said another: “We need to address the issue of no public bathrooms facilities on Bay Street. The taxi drivers and tour companies need to give cruise ship passengers a chance to see Bay Street.”
Not everyone polled agreed that the area is experiencing a decline however. According to Bay Street employee Lillian McPhee, “tourism is getting better and better.”
The Tribune
