'Polite' sailors make merry in Bunbury

Bunbury businesses have benefited from the presence of hundreds of United States Navy sailors and marines.

The central business district has been buzzing with activity as about 700 personnel from USS Ashland disembark daily to explore the South West until today.

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Ray Philp said feedback indicated CBD hospitality businesses fared best from the visit.

"The cafes were busy during breakfast each day and it was great to see vibrancy in the CBD," Mr Philp said.

"Some of the souvenir and retail stores did well too, and from the feedback I got back from business owners, they said the sailors were extremely polite."

Fitzgerald's Irish Bar manager Glen Fitzgerald said the venue was open on Thursday night to welcome the US sailors and marines.

"We closed early on Thursday night because they had a curfew and had to go back to the ship but we saw good numbers on Friday and Saturday night," he said.

"There was a lot of hype about the visit. It was great for the hospitality industry and I think the retail shops would have benefited during the daytime as well."

Grand Cinemas Bunbury senior manager Cate Godber said she noticed extra numbers at the cinemas because of the sailors and marines.

"We found the evenings from Thursday to Saturday to be the busiest times so it's been a really positive thing and the sailors were well-mannered," she said.

Cafe Bean owner John Ventris said he had seen quite a lot of the sailors and marines come through the doors during the past few days.

"It's been good for business and I think a lot of Bunbury businesses did quite well out of the visit," Mr Ventris said.