Dominica’s economy set to benefit from Pirates of the Caribbean II

Thursday, February 3, 2005

ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica’s economy looks set to benefit from the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean II in Dominica by Hollywood film giant Disney. When actual filming begins in mid-April, over 250 Dominicans are expected to be employed over a six week period. 

Over the last several months, the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism, the National Development Corporation and several other government departments have been doing everything possible to secure the filming of the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean in Dominica . Cabinet has also agreed to a list of concessions for the production of the film. 

Presently thirty-five Dominicans are employed by Disney in Dominica to make all the necessary preparations in anticipation of the start of filming soon. 

Representatives of Disney have made several visits to Dominica since August 2004 and have visited several locations on the island. Within the next week, thirty people from Disney including the Director of the Film are expected on island for a technical scouting trip. 

Nine locations across the island have been identified as potential sites for filming. They include Pegua Bay, Titou Gorge, High Meadow and Pointe Guinade near Soufriere, Hampstead Beach, the Indian River among others. Much of the filming is expected to be done along the Vielle Case coast and other locations in the North East. Actual sets will be constructed in Soufriere and Vielle Case. 

Disney has rented floor space in the Financial Centre in Roseau. To date a number of contracts have been signed by Disney with a number of local companies in the transportation, construction and security sectors in Dominica. 

As far as possible government is hopeful that local people will benefit directly from the filming of this Hollywood feature film here. Hotels, restaurants, guest houses, bars and suppliers of local produce are bracing themselves for brisk business from mid-April as a film crew of over 400 is expected to boost demand for local products and services. 

Dominica’s Tourism promotion also stands to benefit from the tremendous opportunities expected as a result of the film being shot on location in Dominica. 

Last month, Production Supervisor of the Film, Mr. Tom Haslip had a briefing session with Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit and the other members of his Cabinet. 

Although Disney has not confirmed that the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean will be filmed in Dominica, government officials and officials in the tourism industry as a whole are quietly confident that the sequel to the multimillion dollar epic will be filmed in Dominica.

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