‘Buzzing’ is the word retailers and restaurateurs all used to describe the atmosphere in the City of Hamilton last week while yachtsmen and their families were visiting in the aftermath of the Newport to Bermuda race that brought about 170 yachts and their crews into Bermuda for a week of rest and relaxation.

They reported a busy week and one during which sales were higher.

Paula Clarke, chief executive officer at Gibbons Company and chairman of the retail division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce said: “Retailers and restaurant owners were very happy to see the additional traffic that the Newport to Bermuda Race brought to the Island. Not only was it the crews of the boats, but the family and friends who came to Bermuda to see them end the race and spend time leisure time in Bermuda.

“Hamilton was buzzing and this resulted in higher sales,” she said.

Philip Barnett, owner of the Island Restaurant Group and chairman of the restaurant division of the Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was fantastic — if we could replicate what happened during Newport week our problems would be solved. There was energy, happy energy — it was fantastic.”

He said the Newport visitor is “the perfect visitor — they are sailors, so they enjoy the outdoors, and they spend a lot of money.

“They are not afraid to spend — they are here to have a good time,” he said.

For example, some visitors here during the week had said they had been cliff jumping at Admiralty Park. “They wanted a unique experience in Bermuda,” he said.

“That’s our clientele,” he said “They are from New England, Canada — that’s a traditional market for us. It’s close, the people we get are not so price sensitive, it’s the safety, natural beauty, the culture here.

“And international business is a big draw — the sense of being where big stuff happens.”

In the restaurants: “Every restaurant was busy — you couldn’t get a reservation.” Many city restaurants stayed open late to accommodate the extra customers.

Mr Barnett added the Friday night at the end of the week was “fantastic — the city was vibrant, tourists and locals alike were out in force”.

AS Cooper and Sons Ltd chief operating officer Ian Smith said the group had also had a good week of sales. “We experienced double-digit growth across the board. But that’s pretty much been the case all year.”

He explained: “Every single member of our staff has been through a customer service training programme in March.” The results of the focus on the ‘customer experience’ has been improved sales. “We are seeing this come out at the business end,” he said.

“We did do well last week, but that is following the trend.”

Speaking to the customers in the stores revealed that they were positive about their experience in Bermuda. “First-time visitors loved the island,” he said. “They wanted to come back for a proper visit.”

There had been comments from yachtsmen and their families about the possibility of The America’s Cup sailing competition being held here. “People were aware of it, and said: ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful!’ and: ‘It’s a perfect location for it.’” Feedback from store sales staff confirmed the positive feelings about Bermuda held by visitors.

Mr Smith said his sense of Bermuda’s economy was that the Island is seeing “the early shoots of the recovery — there aren’t massive changes.”

Some ships passengers shopping in the west end of the Island, for example, were not spending much money. But, he said: “We have business here, and we have to do the best with what we’ve got.”

The two stores that did the best were the group’s two Front Street locations which are closest to the home of the Newport Race, The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. “Our men’s store and children stores were through the roof. And Astwood Dickinson (the jeweller that is part of the Cooper’s Group) was through the roof.”