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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/edmund-bartlett-buzz-demo-2-1024x965.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7386" /><figcaption>Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (Photo: JIS)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has
announced that the Government has concluded the sale of lands in St. Ann, on
which a 3000-room hotel will be constructed.</p>
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<p>By the end of this year, during the first
phase, the construction of some 700 rooms will commence.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/salem-st-ann-google-maps-buzz-demo.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8475" /><figcaption>Map of St. Ann highlighting Salem (Photo: Google Maps)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>"The Government of Jamaica has also
finalised the sale of lands in Salem, St Ann, with hotel developers from
Karisma, for the construction on 3000 rooms in several phases. The first of
these phases will commence later this year, with the construction 700
rooms," Bartlett said.</p>
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<p>Bartlett's speech was read by Chairman of
the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer, at the opening of JAPEX,
which got underway at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, Monday
night.</p>
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<p>Bartlett, who is off the island on official
duties, expressed that the accommodation sector is booming, "creating a diverse
mix to suit the taste of both local and international visitors".</p>
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<p>"At the same time, these new hotel
developments are fuelling sector growth," Bartlett stated.</p>
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<p>"RIU Ocho Rios is reopening this month and that will bring 790 rooms on stream. Oceans by H10 will also open its doors in November of this year, which will bring 500 rooms and hopefully another 500 over the next year as they get to the [1000-room] mark. While the newly-opened AC Hotel by Marriott adds 220 new rooms in Kingston."</p>
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