Harbour Nights ended another season last night with most stall-holders happy with the way the Front Street festival has gone and cautiously optimistic about next year.

Predictably, sales dropped off in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but the consensus among traders The Royal Gazette spoke to was that business recovered last night.

The finale of the summer festival, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, was a Gombey troupe winding down Burnaby Hill.

Earlier, locals and tourists were treated to a fashion show using models from the anti-drug youth charity PRIDE and performances from the Wing Lam Kung Fu School, United Dance Productions, and Fabulous.

Eric Amos, who was selling prints last night said: "It's been pretty good. It's been a very nice atmosphere and I've enjoyed the whole season. It's probably been on a par with last year, maybe a little bit less.

"The Chamber of Commerce has done a good job organising it and with the weather being better, we've not had as many nights rained off.

"For next year, you can only hope, but I think it will be good. The cruise ship people will continue coming and even after September 11 they have been spending their money."

Winifred Smith, who makes toy dolls for just for Harbour Nights, is not sure if she will come next year because it takes so much time making her products.

"Last year it was a novelty, and we had more tourists buying than locals, and now its more or less just tourists," she said.

"I'm down this year quite a bit compared to last year, but I've just about covered what I spend and the cost of the stall, so I am satisfied."

Doris Wade, who was here for the first time having started up a home-based ceramics business said: "It was a tremendous year until the disaster. I've found it very satisfactory and I'm very much looking to next year."

Clara Moro of the ceramics business Made In Italy, which operates from Washington Mall, was also in her first year and very happy with sales.

"It's helped the business having the site here and its a good idea for locals as well as tourists to interact this way. It's not been bad. July and Augusts were busier then it fell away, but tonight has been pretty good. Next year will be great and we'll be back," she said.

Choy Aming of Clayhouse Pottery, was also upbeat.

"We've had a great year, but its been a little slower since September 11," he said. "We did really good numbers in July and August and even now we're doing well. Better than expected considering.

"Next year tourism will be okay because we are a safe place. It's just getting people here, but if we get people here, we'll do good business."

Artist Michael Swan was the most downbeat of the stall-holders last night. "This season has been quiet, especially after September 11," he said.

"The bulk of my business comes from the hotels, and even the hotels have not been so good this year.

Mr. Swan continued: "This year has been okay, but I did expect to do better than I did. Business has dropped off quite a bit, and it could be eight months before it turns around.

"Next year I don't think will be as good as even this year. I'm sure it can be turned around but Bermuda needs a lot of innovative promotions and everyone on the Island has to get geared up and do something. But the cost of flights, getting here, is the biggest problem."