Jamaica
News - Real Estate - Services
Source: Jamaica Gleaner, Mark Titus, March 24 2007
Dragon Bay
shutdown led to airstrip closure
Chairman of the
Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Dennis Morrison, says the
closure of the Dragon Bay Hotel in Portland contributed to the
Government's decision no to rehabilitate the Ken Jones Aerodrome
located in the parish.
"We need to understand that
the closure of the Dragon Bay Hotel in the parish contributed
significantly to the lack of activity at the airstrip," he
explained.
"We did not close operations
until this hotel, which brought most of the business to the
airstrip, closed its doors."
Mr. Morrison, who is also
chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), was speaking during
an interview with The Gleaner at the official opening of the new
customs and arrival hall at the Sangster International Airport in
Montego Bay on Thursday.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson
Miller was the keynote speaker at the ceremony for the new wing,
which is part of MBJ Airport Limited's US$40 million expansion
exercise.
Pointing out that the critical
infrastructure for that part of the island was the road network,
Mr. Morrison stated that he expects that the completion of Highway
2000 from Ocho Rios to Port Antonio will boost tourism activities
there.
Talk of reopening
The Sandals group, headed by
Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, owns the Dragon Bay property and interest
has been expressed to refurbish and reopen for business, as soon
as the road network is rehabilitated. Hundreds of workers have
been affected by its closure.
The AAJ chairman indicated
that the plans for the development of
the Vernamfield airstrip in South Clarendon are well advanced.
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