The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Potter's Cay Dock vendors are "moving into the 21st century" by partnering with Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) as part of efforts to "go cashless".

Wendi Constantine, president of the Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Vendors Association (BDAVVA), told Tribune Business that the BISX-listed bank has teamed with numerous vendors by providing them with portable mobile devices so they can accept debit and credit card payments.

"Our association has started a campaign with Fidelity Bank so that Potter's Cay Dock can go cashless," Ms Constantine added. "We are moving into the 21st century.

"The only thing that we're hoping now is that the Government sees that we are complying, and we're trying to do everything, especially with these COVD-19 rules, with curb-side, deliveries and pick-ups, that they can also work with us with electricity because we really need that. We just want the public to know that they can now come to Potter's Cay and get their items by means of credit card."

Some 12 vendors have signed up with Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) to receive the mobile card devices, and the Association said its campaign will continue until all 42 stalls are equipped with them. The payment-accepting devices will be delivered to the vendors some time this week.

Ms Constantine said: "We had a campaign where we had an app that you can put on your phones where persons can call in, and you would be able to use your credit card and pay online.

"Then you can just come in and swipe, and you can get your food. But you know with the curbside you cannot park; you have to keep moving, and we hope that by going cashless that this also helps with the COVID-19.

"The persons from Nightlife Bahamas created the advertising app. We joined up with them and so persons are now advertising through the web internationally and locally," she continued.

"So, tourists abroad can see Potter's Cay Dock and the various stalls that are out here. With everybody going cashless we thought that this would be something Potter's Cay Dock should do. We just want people to know that Potter's Cay is now cashless."

Daniel Scott, the Association's vice president and owner of Danny's Unda Da Bridge, said: "I feel very happy about the situation. We know how the world is going and most definitely, as Bahamians, we tend to follow the things after the fact.

"But I'm very pleased to know that Potter's Cay Dock is on board to take advantage of the situation when the tourists come through. Me being a stall owner, I had many customers come through here before asking if we take credit cards.

"I was not prepared and I just watched them walk right back out of my door. So I am pleased and very happy to know that we are taking the initiative as members of the BDAVVA to push this issue."

Jamal Bowe, owner of Daddy Bowe's Stall, said: "The cashless situation is really a good thing, because we don't have to worry about carrying a bunch of funds on us when the night is over as there is no protection out here like that.

"It's a good thing. A lot of people travel with cards nowadays." Mr Bowe estimated that the percentage of his customers who prefer using credit cards is about 30 percent.