Today the Department of Tourism will release arrival statistics indicating how Bermuda has fared in the current economy.

Across the Caribbean tourism statistics have been down due to the recession and today industry stakeholders will be able to get a clearer picture of how many visitors came by air and sea in April, May and June. It will also allow them to see how the new cruise ship terminal in Dockyard has impacted both the west end and Hamilton in terms of visitor spending.

The Royal Gazette spoke with several people involved in the tourism industry who have said the move has hurt Hamilton, long known for high quality shopping along Front Street, but been good for Dockyard.

Beginning in April six contracted cruise lines will make 117 trips to the Island until October. There will be some other ships calling in on Bermuda one or two times throughout the season, adding another 21 visits.

The Phoenix group decided to take advantage of the new cruise ship schedule and open a large store near the terminal.

Cathy Pantry who runs the Phoenix branch in Dockyard said business has been booming for them since they opened.

"We're a mixed bag and we are trying to meet everyone's needs, it seems to be working," she said. "You can come here and grab your sunscreen, a hamburger and smoothie, and you can get your prescription filled and pick up some souvenirs.

"There is nothing like this here in Dockyard."

She said her boss, Phoenix Stores CEO George Grundmuller, had done a lot of research to ensure they were meeting the demands of cruise ship visitors.

"When the ships are in we try and stay open until 8.00 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday when there is Destination Dockyard.

"Even if some of the passengers go to town and others go to Hamilton or St. George's when just 15 percent of them stay in Dockyard that is 300 to 400 people that we have as a captive audience.

"For us it has been a good summer."

But not everyone is seeing booming business now that the cruise ships call the west end their home. Pulp & Circumstance's Dockyard store announced earlier this week it has shut its doors for the last time, with owner Kristi Grayston citing slow trade as the reason behind the move. Though she noted that others were doing well and did not rule out returning to Dockyard in the future.

Carol West, who owns the popular Dockyard restaurant Frog and Onion, said she has seen an improvement in the west end simply putting it: "More boats, more people!"

But she noted it has not been as dramatic as everyone predicted: "Has there been an impact, for sure! But not as wonderful as everyone would think.

"Remember the boats are working just as hard to keep the people on as we are to get them off. I heard via the grapevine that only 64 people came off one of our ships one evening, they carry-over 2,000 people. And what I have noticed is there are more people, but they are spending less money!"

Ms West said she was aware Front Street, on the other hand, was not doing as well as some of her Dockyard counterparts: "Hamilton looks like a construction zone and I hear visitors commenting on this."

Newly elected Mayor Charles Gosling said the Corporation of Hamilton is looking at ways to improve the city for tourists and noted that many Hamilton retailers have seen their revenue slide as the cruise ships went elsewhere.

"It has been two years now that Hamilton has not had a dedicated cruise ship," he said. "This has had a major impact on retail businesses with additional fallout particularly those who supplied goods and services to the ship's crew — Internet cafés, bars and so on.

"The new Corporation board is very much aware of this situation and one section of our platform dealt with the issue of attracting more cruise ships, revisiting the Waterfront Development to ensure that the project is in keeping with the scale of Hamilton, as well as committing ourselves to beginning the actual laying of the 'bricks and mortar' of the project. "

He is also lobbying the Department of Tourism to allow the Corporation or Hamilton to have a say in who docks in their city.

Phil Barnett, who is President of Island Restaurant Group, which includes Pickled Onion, Hog Penny and Barracuda Grill also said it has been a tough summer so far.

"It has so far been a challenging year, but the months of June and so far July have seen an improvement," he said. "Lunch business is doing OK due to passengers who are bused and ferried in not being able to get back to the ships for lunch. Dinner business from cruise passengers — and the all important crew — is down dramatically."

When asked if he thought there was more that could be done to entice people off ships and into Hamilton he said: "There is probably always more that can be done, however a mix of ships at the various ports some to Dockyard, some to St. George's and some to Hamilton is a is a win, win, win for everyone I believe."

And one Hamilton store owner said it had been a dismal season for her: "Front Street at 5.30 p.m. is nothing more than a rush hour. No boats, no tourists, no shops."