MONTEGO BAY, St James — President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce Oral Heaven is optimistic that commerce during the upcoming festive season will rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

“There’s lot of potential for commerce this holiday season and coming out of COVID, I’m optimistic and business operators are optimistic about the holiday period,” he told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview.

He noted that, with this being the first opportunity in two years for face-to-face interaction and activities, there should be an uptick in activity. He said he is “looking for a really happy holiday and businesses will have a great holiday”.

Last year, some businesses that typically operate late into the night were hamstrung by 10:00 pm closing hours. That was extended to 1:00 am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve but the business community — especially the entertainment sector— complained bitterly of the impact the restrictions had on their bottom line.

Heaven said the expectation is that it will be better this year.

“Things are happening and the word on the street is that the businesses are picking up. Things are getting better, businesses are returning to, and in some cases, are better than pre-COVID conditions,” he said.

“We expect to see increased activities in commerce and we know that the business community will be having a great holiday. People will be shopping and businesses will make money,” he reiterated.

Businessman Robert Russell agreed. He operates several enterprises in Montego Bay, including Pier One Restaurant and Bar.

“I think the economy is on the way up and this Christmas should be one of the better Christmas periods that we would have seen in a very long time,” he said.

“All the signs are there, unemployment is the lowest it has ever been in the history of Jamaica, more people are working, tourism figures are up, more hotels are full and the restaurants and the nightclubs are all doing well. That means persons will have more disposable income to spend,” Russell added.

A hairdresser on Barnett Street said she was looking forward to the season. She is hoping to make up for last year.

“I am looking forward to the season because last year things did slow because nothing was happening and because of that there wasn’t a lot of people doing their hair and so forth,” she said. She did not wish to be identified by name.

Even as he expressed pleasure that things have largely returned to normal, the chamber’s Heaven urged business interests and patrons not to do anything that would jeopardise this.

“We just need to ensure that we operate within the framework of the law and stay safe during this holiday period. Shop, but also be mindful of our surroundings,” he urged.