Junkanoo Beach Vendors Claim Sales at a Double-Digit Low

Advertisement

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The nation may be seeing a record-breaking number of visitors, according to the Ministry of Tourism, but some beachside business owners say it’s not translating into sales.

Our Joshua Williams visited Junkanoo Beach on Monday, where he spoke to vendors about how business has been going during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Junkanoo Beach, located in the bustling downtown district has become a favorite spot for visitors.

Vendors on the shoreline offer unique Bahamian food, drinks, souvenirs and experiences.

While the area seems to be bustling with visitors, business for some vendors is not as profitable as it might seem.

Darnel Chipman-Ward told him that they’ve seen better days.

Darnel Chipman-Ward – Vendor, Junkanoo Beach

“Business has been off and on, especially after they opened up, of course you know Royal Caribbean… the guests now go over to Paradise Island. Sometimes good, sometimes not too good. But we can use a little help on a daily basis. Thank God for weekends that are much better than the regular days, but as you can see now we barely have anyone walking around.”

This stall owner wants to remain anonymous, but she too told Joshua that sales have been up and down.

Vendor, Junkanoo Beach

“Not as good as it was last year, our sales are far below. People were doing like 30% low, some weeks it’s like 50% of what it was the year before. There’s a number of cruise ships, a lot of ships are on the schedule, but you just don’t see the people that are coming off. Another issue is when the people do come off, they are being told not to bring cash with them because everything is cashless. I don’t know why guests are being told that.”

Each year thousands of spring breakers come here to experience what we have to offer, but these vendors said they didn’t feel the spring break rush.

Darnel Chipman-Ward – Vendor, Junkanoo Beach

“I guess now the spring breakers are venturing out to different islands, different places… but we need more entertainment to encourage them to come back.”

Vendor – Junkanoo Beach

“Spring break? I don’t know, it went by so quickly we never noticed it. It was not a typical spring break like we were used to in years past.”

What’s even more concerning, they said that is the poor state of the bathrooms in the area.

They said that guests have been complaining for months, and there have been limited entertainment experiences.

Vendor, Junkanoo Beach

“You just have to keep pushing on, you know, and you look for a better day, something to happen the next day, so we just come back.”

Darnel Chipman-Ward – Junkanoo Beach Vendor

“You have to keep going… you have to find strength, keep pushing on. Like I say, you have the good days, hopefully you make up for the bad days.”