By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribuneemedia.net

THE owner of the Green Parrot restaurant has reported slow summer numbers - that he attributed to declining stopover visitor numbers.

Speaking to Tribune Business, Peter Maury said sales have declined when compared to last year, speculating that a reduction in stopover guests have impacted the number of diners at his establishment.

“Sales are definitely off. We still have people coming in but last year was way better. The problem is, is the stopover numbers are down. The marinas are down, the vacation properties are down, from what we’ve heard,” said Mr Maury

“The restaurants aren’t down as much, thankfully because we do have a local crowd, but it’s mainly with the vacation crowd that we’re seeing a big decline. It’s been down compared to the past years. I can say that. There’s no increase. That’s for sure.”

He said bookings at his marina have seen a more significant decline over the past months due to he introduction of new boating sector fees.

“July started to slow down. And August has been very slow. Numbers we’re getting back are saying things have dropped right off,” said Mr Maury.

Delvon Ferguson, who also owns I Dream of Sugar, a candy store located across from the Straw Market on Bay Street, said he has also seen a decline in patrons from last year.

Mr Ferguson said while the restaurant still serves a strong number of cruise ship visitors, there has been a decline in local clients.

“Sales are not as strong as they were last year. We are still getting a lot of visitors and cruise passengers, but the local crowd has died down. So right now we are trying to think of new campaigns that would bring more locals to Bay Street,” said Mr Ferguson.

Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper told the House of Assembly during the 2025-2026 Budget debate that total air and sea arrivals through April 2025 were up 11.7 percent year-over-year from the 3.9m recorded during the same four months last year.

Mr Cooper hailed record visitor arrivals of 4.373m for the first four months of 2025 despite a slight 0.4 percent drop in higher-spending stopover visitors.