The personal care industry seems to be facing the greatest and most diverse challenges, a survey by the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce has revealed.

The Business Barometer Survey of 107 Chamber members was conducted online last year between August 9 and September 16.

The results announced Tuesday are meant to be a snapshot of the overall health of business in Bermuda and what changes are necessary to move forward, post-pandemic.

The survey said the challenges faced by the personal care industry include the burden of paying business taxes and the business’ access to capital having worsened over the past year, a worse overall economic wellbeing compared to 12 months ago, and an extreme lack of confidence in the ability to invest in required equipment, ability to hire additional staff, economic sustainability and the ability to balance expenditures over the next 12 months.

Margaret Chapman, a partner and chief operating officer at Narrative Research Bermuda, which conducted the survey, said: “Personal care is an industry that’s worried.”

In contrast, the survey found, the energy industry reports the greatest optimism towards the future of the local economy.

They also report that their business’s economic wellbeing is better than a year ago, although they do struggle with the cost and availability of technology.

The survey results show that the island’s tourism industry has the highest level of confidence with regards to Bermuda’s overall economic future.

They are more likely to report that their business’s economic wellbeing is better than a year ago, and most likely to cite reliance on other businesses affected/closing and travel restrictions as their top challenges over the past 12 months.

The island’s automotive industry reports the greatest challenges with increase in prices/operating costs/inflation and supply chain/supply availability over the past 12 months.

They have also experienced the greatest amount of reduced sales as a direct impact of supply chain issues and believe they will continue to struggle with supply chain issues over the coming 12 months.

The survey revealed that the restaurants and night clubs industry has been struggling most with staffing, availability of workers and rising costs. This is also the group most likely to have felt a negative impact of the work permit moratorium.

Meanwhile, the real estate industry reports some of the highest levels of taxes and immigration policies/work permits challenges.