Cleo, I completely understand what you mean. It is a pretty similar situation in other vacation places I have visited (eg. Thailand) and locals may not be so keen on new blood coming in and setting up shop. If I were to go the bar route I was a) planning on doing a low key place but in a good locations, b) focus on the day time crowd and c) look into that as a secondary business AFTER I already have some steady income stream from somewhere else.

Also, I would make sure to meet with some local players first and try to make nice first. But thanks for the heads up!