Souvenir shops, small snack bars, general merchandise stores and even taxi business see an increase of approximately 25 percent in sales due to the Micro Games and the US Navy Ship visit.
Palau Shop sees a 25 percent increase in sales. It also enjoys its regular throng of Chinese and Japanese tourists, patronizing mostly bracelets, trinkets and souvenirs.
Rur Shop, on the other hand, is still hoping that by the end of the Micro Games, they would see an increase in their sales.“Although we still don’t feel any changes in sales,” the sales staff said, “We are hoping that the Micro Games athletes and guests would stop by before they leave.” But she said they have their usual Japanese tourists as regular customers.
General merchandise stores are also happy with the Micro Games. One Nation has more customers these past two weeks. Tourists and athletes buy mostly sunglasses, board shorts and souvenir items from them.
Asanuma Merchandise also feels the same way. According to the sales manager, they enjoy an increase of 25 to 30 percent in sales both from tourists and athletes. Aside from the usual foods and drinks, visitors from other regions who also chew buy local stuff like betel nut.
Neighborhood snack bars like Chin Chian also have an increase of approximately 25 percent in sales from both athletes and tourists, buying the usual burger and fries.
Big restaurants, however, do not have the same luck as small burger outlets as athletes usually don’t have enough budget for fancy meals. Aside from their regular customers and tourist patrons, both the Taj Restaurant and Kramers do not feel any increase in sales and number of customers.
The cab drivers, however, enjoy the same business boom as the neighborhood stores. Although the Micro Games promotes carbon footprint reduction by encouraging guests and athletes to walk, still many people rely on taxis to go around Koror.
