With the vast majority of the south coast haven’s business generated from overseas arrivals, small hotels and guest houses in that section of St Elizabeth are now reeling from the fallout in bookings.

Kory South, general manager of the 14-room Sunset Resort and Villas overlooking the Caribbean Sea, said that an inward focus is the last gasp to keep his small hotel afloat.

One of the two more popular small hotels in the area, Sunset Resort and Villa attracts only 15 per cent local occupancy, with the majority of guests from the United States, and Canada, and Europe.

“Now we are expanding the place somewhat, adding a few more rooms, and will be hoping our locals will come through some marketing to coincide with the local bird season and the Calabash International Literary Festival in September,” said South.

The local market is a big part of the diet of the popular Jakes Hotel, says owner Jason Henzell, who shuttered the property on March 23, but remained “partially” open for bookings heading into the Labour Day weekend.