By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis and PLP supporters visited the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay yesterday with a clear message to emphasise: the area is safe and Bahamians should come down to support local businesses.

Mr Davis and PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell tried to reassure Bahamians in the area that the PLP takes their concerns seriously.

One restaurant owner, Goldie Evans, said the recent US State Department warning advising Americans not to visit the area at night had a palpable effect on his business.

“We had some tourists here and the news was on,” he said. “(They heard the report of the advisory) and they cancelled everything and left.”

Last week, the US State Department prompted debate and concern after it warned US citizens not to visit the cultural site at night.

Mr Evans, a restaurant owner for three decades, said business is not as bustling as it was when he first came to the area, and the lighting at night remains a significant problem.

Mr Davis used the tour to emphasise that The Bahamas should spend more time developing attractions that cater to Bahamians first, realising that tourists want authentic cultural experiences.

“I think successive governments have been missing the mark on what it means to develop the tourism product,” he said. “To me developing the tourism product requires us to develop things Bahamian. If we create events for Bahamians, tourists will come for that. Tourists come to The Bahamas for Bahamian attractions and Bahamian experiences. Arawak Cay is a Bahamian experience and so we are here to demonstrate that we who are Bahamians have this as one of our experiences.”