will re-open next summer.

Last night Tourism Minister David Dodwell said: "Club Med has done the most in-depth exercise with regards to reopening the hotel that it has ever done since closing.'' He said this seemed to indicate that Club Med had genuine intentions of reopening.

But he added: "The ball is clearly in their court.'' The 340-room resort, overlooking Fort St. Catherine has stood empty since closing in 1988.

The resort's operators began the process of reopening the hotel earlier in the year after the hotel was taken off the market, said Mr. Dodwell.

The Ministry took a "pro-active'' stance and looked to make sure aspects of reopening were covered the view of facilitating and assisting the hotel's move, Mr. Dodwell said.

There have also been six months of discussions between Club Med officials and the Ministeries of Tourism, Health and Labour about what the hotel will have to do to be allowed to re-open.

Government has said before the resort can re-open it must meet licensing requirements for fire, health and safety codes.

And Mr. Dodwell said Club Med "has explored ways of marketing the hotel with us in much the same way that other hotels work with us''.

He added that he had inspected the hotel four times over the course of the year and it "has been cleaned up substantially'' and basic work has begun on getting it open.