By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

An Exuma water sports operator says it has ceased business for the slowest period in the annual tourism cycle with Sandals Emerald Bay's closure making September "extra slow".

Ray Lightbourn, principal of Exuma Water Sports, told Tribune Business the company has for this month halted numerous services it provides to visitors while still conducting private tours.

He added that he has retained his 18-strong staff to help feed the 'swimming pigs' and handle boat maintenance, but has also encouraged his employees to take vacation this month.

“Most of them are still getting paid,” Mr Lightbourn said. “And we got a couple that are just, I would say, they're more than part time, but we are still using everybody because we're doing maintenance on boats. We've still got to feed the pigs every day. So, we're just rotating everything around.

“Another thing is, we also planned on who wanted vacation, that they take it in September. We got about, I think we had six on vacation.”

Mr Lightbourn attributes the abnormal fall-off in visitor numbers to the closure of the Sandals Emerald Bay resort, which shut on August 15, 2024, to rebrand as a Beaches Resort. The closure impacted 425 employees, some of whom were redeployed to Sandals Royal Bahamian and Beaches Turks and Caicos.

However, the resort’s closure is weighing heavily on tourism-related businesses on Exuma. While other tour operators and hotels often close during the slow period, Mr Lightbourn said he will have to decide if a September closure will be an annual occurrence moving forward with much depending on whether the former Sandals resort re-opens.

“Last September was very slow because Sandals closed,” Mr Lightbourn said. “The hotel closed last year August. They closed August 15. So that September was very slow. So this September they're still closed. So we just decided to close for that month, because if it was slow last year, and this is a worse year than last year... it's extra slow.

“If the hotel opens back up, we'll probably stay open. But other than that they've been closed a year and it's ridiculous. And nobody's saying anything, you know, nothing from the Government. Nothing.

“This just is a slow year- slower than last year, for sure. Who knows what it is. It could be the American government with all this foolishness going on and people not travelling as much. I think it's mostly because the hotel is closed.”

Taxi driver and tour operator, Cheryl Cambridge, said the industry is also feeling the pinch of the off-peak tourism season. The Cheryl’s Bahamas Taxi & Tours chief, however, said she has implemented incentives to ensure returning guests continue to choose her and, as a result, keep her afloat during the off season.

“I give souvenirs to the kids. I might not be the driver going back, but my other driver will make sure, quiz you. If you know the national bird, the national fish, we'll give you a a gift like a friendship bracelet with Bahamian colours and things like that," Ms Cambridge explained.

"And then, if you look at my template, it tells you if you're celebrating something special. Let the office know, and we give you a gift. If you retire, I give you a Bahamas license plate. If it's a woman, I give you a bling bling with Bahamas on it. The man gets a baseball cap. The little boys get a baseball cap. The girls get a sling bag with Bahamas on it.

"If it was a baby, celebrate a birthday. I give them a globe, you know, stuff like that, little things... So you got to spend money to make money. If you come right now, look at my bench. I got Bahama Mama. I get water, and I get juice, Capri Sun juice for the kids," she added.

“Every year around this time it's very slow. This is the slowest I see it for a long time. But what I’m trying to say is it could be equal. When I say equal, instead of one person get over 10 jobs and you end up with one, everybody could go home with three. But right now, some going home with 10 jobs and some going home with none or one.

"So what they need to do, instead of making up these cards, giving people a card, and say, 'Call me when you go and buy'... People are not going to call them. They'll call you back if your car nice, air conditioned, you smell good, you give them a little free tour. Do you know what I is tell them? This is a free tour and this is a little sneak peek. If you want the rest, call me.”