CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – FOLLOWING the temporary closure of the Four Seasons Resort, Weekend Vibes took to the streets to find out how the situation has impacted the lives of Nevisians.
Allisa Challenger
“I had a good man down at Four Seasons who use to help me out. He used to give me money every other week. Now that Four Seasons is closing down things are going to be hard for me.”
Hastings Daniel – Real Estate
Normally, when people come and stay at Four Seasons they tend to also go and buy land at very exotic places on Nevis. Sometimes in real estate you pick up the odd one. This year we haven’t been able to market to that group; we have lost that. We can’t get to that niche market to the people who have a little bit more money to spend. Of course, if it is closed down, even the people who work there; because if they are not sure of their jobs they may not buy even a piece of land they would normally buy. Even if they were going to renovate their houses and get a valuation for it, they would not now do it. That is how I see it has been affecting people.”
Willroy Webb – Businessman
“We are not seeing many big cruise ships just smaller ones. I think the tourism people need to go out and dig deep. It is very unfortunate that we barely have one up here for only a few hours. Sometimes they don’t buy anything; they just walk around. It’s very hard! Sometimes we have hopes of making some money but the small boat tourists are really not spending any money. I think the tourism people need to come off their laurels and work a little harder. Seeing that Four Season is out, they really need to dig deep and put everything together to bring a little more business around here.
“There are really less guests around so we have to go out and try to get people into the shop. It can be a real struggle at times. Sometimes we sit all day and make no money at all. So we really have to stay and fight. It gets very hard and frustrating at times but you can’t give up. You just got to keep trying and hope for the best.”
Robelto Hector – Minister of Agriculture
“The figures that have come before me seem to indicate that there has been a decrease in the quantity purchased through the marketing unit in Charlestown. We are presently doing an assessment on how it has impacted the agriculture sector – be it the fisheries or be it the farmers.”
Martin - Taxi driver
“It has had a very bad impact because you find that the other hotels are not getting the kind of guests that the Four Seasons normally get. I do not work with Four Seasons but I go in and out. You find that when American Eagle lands at the airport, it only comes with four or five passengers. When Four Seasons was open you got like 30 to 40 passengers. So we are not getting the kind of business and I pray to God that it opens tomorrow.”
Roger Cozier – Restaurateur
“Business is very slow. We have seen a drop in services at this restaurant and I’m sure it is the same at the other restaurants. We have seen like 80 percent loss of business since the Four Seasons closed.”
